In houses with more than one sleeping
area, Smoke Alarms should be placed
between each sleeping area and the
living area and it is recommended that
Heat Alarms should be placed in the
kitchen and garage.
Figure 2
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bathroom
Bath
Dining Room
Laundry
Room
Living Room
Kitchen
Recommended Protection
Fire authorities recommend you put
individual Smoke Alarms in or near all
rooms where fire is most likely to break
out (apart from the locations to avoid
e.g bathrooms). The living room is the
most likely place for a fire to start at
night, followed by the kitchen (where a
Heat Alarm is recommended) and then
the dining room. Consideration should
be given to installing Smoke Alarms in
any bedrooms where fires might occur,
for instance, where there is an electrical
appliance such as an electric blanket
or heater, or where the occupant is
a smoker. In addition, consideration
should be also given to installing Smoke
Alarms in any rooms where the occupant
is unable to respond very well to a fire
starting in that room, such as an elderly
or sick person or a very young child.
Checking Alarms Can Be Heard
With the Alarms sounding in their
intended locations check that the alarm
can be heard in each bedroom with the
door closed, above the sound of any TV/
audio systems. The TV/audio systems
should be set to a reasonably loud
conversation level. If you cannot hear the
alarm over the sound of the TV/audio
system, the chances are it would not
wake you. Interconnecting the Alarms
will help to ensure that the alarm will be
heard throughout the property.
Positioning
Ceiling Mounting
Hot smoke rises and spreads out,
so a central ceiling position is the
recommended location. The air is “dead”
and does not move in corners, therefore
Smoke Alarms must be mounted away
from corners. Keep at least 305mm
(12”) from walls and corners (see Figure
3). Additionally, mount the unit at least
305mm (12”) from any light fitting or
decorative object which might prevent
smoke entering the Smoke Alarm.
Smoke Alarms in all rooms where fire is
most likely to break out (apart from the
kitchen and bathroom).
Your first Smoke Alarm should be located
between the sleeping area and the most
likely sources of fire (living room for
example), but it should not be more than
6.4 metres (21ft)from the door to any
room where a fire may start and block
your escape from the house.
Multi-Storey Dwellings
If your home has more than one floor, at
least one Alarm should be fitted on each
level (see Figure 1). Preferably the Alarms
should be interconnected (if feature is
present on unit) so as to give sufficient
warning throughout the property.
Figure 1 illustrates where Smoke and
Heat Alarms should be located in a
typical two storey house. Note the
spacings in “Protection Levels” which
ensure the early detection of fire and that
the warning will be heard.
Locate Heat Alarms in rooms adjoining
escape routes - kitchens, garages, boiler
houses etc. where Smoke Alarms are
unsuitable.
Figure 1
For minimum protection
- Smoke Alarm on each storey
- in each sleeping area
- every 6.4 metres (21ft) of hallways and
rooms
- within 3 metres (10ft) of all bedroom
doors
- all units interconnected (where feature
is present)
For recommended protection
(in addition to the above):
- Smoke Alarms in every room (except
kitchens and bathrooms)
- Heat Alarms located in kitchens,
garages etc. within 5.3m (17ft) of
potential fire sources
Single Storey Dwelling
If the premises is one storey you should
put your first Smoke Alarm in a corridor
or hallway between the sleeping and
living areas. Place it as near to the living
area as possible, but make sure that
it can be heard loudly enough in the
bedroom to wake someone. See Figure 2
for placement example.
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