2023 NEC Code Update

The State of Michigan is currently on the 2015 Michigan residential code and the 2017 NEC for the Michigan electrical code. There have been many talks about the state adopting the 2023 NEC coming the first of the year 2024.

There are some large changes both between the 2017 to the 2020, and again between the 2020 and 2023 NEC.

I feel its going to be a massive undertaking to take on all the changes between the 2020 and 2023.

I feel the worst one will be the re-institution of Arc-fault breakers. If you didnt know… the State of Michigan removed the requirement of the Arc-fault breakers, but with the new adoption in 2024 they will be required again.

Smoke Detectors

Currently, the NEC code book does not have a code requirement for smoke detectors in a dwelling. It is currently in the Act 230….why has the code not adopted a stance on smoke detectors in Michigan?

Michigan reported 55 fatal home fires in 2022 with 68 deaths.

At the very least NEC and/or the MEC should have an article for smoke detectors in a dwelling. I also feel there should be requirement that they should be on a dedicated circuit. However, I would want the dedicated circuit to be connected to the circuit in the kitchen dedicated to the refrigerator. It’s the first circuit someone thinks about putting on a selectable circuit back up panel.

Why not guarantee that the smoke alarms are protected. I mean they do protect out loved ones.