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LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS
For best performance, AVOID installing Smoke Alarms in these areas:
•
Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles form
when something burns. Areas to avoid include kitchens, garages, and
boiler rooms. Keep units at least 3 metres (10 feet) from the sources of
combustion particles (cooker, boiler, space heater) 6 metres (20 feet) if
possible. Ventilate these areas as much as possible.
Note: If you must
install Smoke Alarms closer than 6 metres (20 feet) from a source of
combustion particles, keep the area well ventilated, and the Smoke
Alarms clean.
•
In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke into the
sensing chamber of a Smoke Alarm near the kitchen.
•
In very damp, humid or steamy areas keep units at least 3 metres (10 feet)
away from bathrooms, toilets, showers, dishwashers, etc.
•
Where the temperatures are regularly below 4˚C (40˚F) or above 38˚C
(100˚F), including unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, or porches.
•
In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a Smoke Alarm directly
over the cooker. Keep laundry room Smoke Alarms free of dust or lint.
•
Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can blow
smoke away from the unit, preventing it from reaching the sensing
chamber.
•
In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing
chamber and cause unwanted alarms.
•
Less than 300 mm (12 inches) away from light fittings. Electrical “noise”
can interfere with the sensor; i.e. fluorescent lights, etc.
•
Where the bottom edge of wall mounted Smoke Alarms is placed below
the level of any door opening.
•
In rooms which are being decorated, painted or artexed.
•
In “dead air” spaces. “Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching
the Smoke Alarm.
AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm. To
avoid dead air spaces, follow the installation recommendations below.
On ceilings,
install Smoke Alarms as close to the centre of the ceiling as
possible. If this is not possible, install the Smoke Alarm at least 300 mm
(12 inches) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting
(if allowed by building regulations), the top edge of Smoke
Alarms should be placed between 150 and 300 mm (6 and 12 inches) from
the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling,
install the first Smoke Alarm
within 0.9 metres (3 feet) of the peak of the ceiling, measuring horizontally.
Additional Smoke Alarms may be required depending on the length, angle,
etc. of the ceiling's slope. Refer to BS 5839 Part 6, 5588 Part 1 and local
building regulations for details on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery (DC) powered Smoke Alarms:
Provide protection even when
electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Units
are easy to install, and do not require professional installation. May also be
interconnected,
model dependent
, so if one unit senses smoke, all units
alarm.
Mains (AC) powered Smoke Alarms:
Can be interconnected so if one
unit senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails.
Mains (AC) with battery (DC) back-up:
will operate if electricity fails,
provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. Mains (AC) powered
and mains powered with battery back-up (AC/DC) units must be installed
by a qualified electrician.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if locat-
ed, installed and cared for as described in the user’s manual, and if smoke
reaches them. If you are unsure which type of Smoke Alarm to install, refer to
British Standard (BS) 5839 Part 6 and 5588 Part 1. BSI, 389 Chiswick High
Road, London, W4 4AL, UK. Local building regulations may also require
specific units in new construction or in different areas of the home.
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
This Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire
detection systems in places housing many people—like blocks of flats
(communal escape routes), hotels, motels, hostels, inns, hospitals,
long-term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities,
boarding houses or sheltered housing of any kind—even if they were
once single-family residences. It is not a suitable substitute for complete
fire detection systems in warehouses, industrial facilities, commercial
buildings, and special-purpose non-residential buildings which require
special fire detection and alarm systems. Depending on the building
regulations in your area, this Smoke Alarm may be used to provide
additional protection in these facilities.
The following information applies to all four building types below:
In new construction, most building regulations require the use of mains (AC) or
mains powered with integral standby supply (AC/DC) Smoke Alarms only. In
existing construction, mains powered (AC), mains powered with integral
standby supply (AC/DC), or battery (DC) powered Smoke Alarms can be used
as specified by local building regulations. Refer to British Standard BS 5839
Part 6 and BS 5588 Part 1, local buildings regulations, or consult your Fire
Brigade for detailed fire protection requirements in buildings not defined as
“dwellings.”
1. Single-Family Residence:
Single family home. It is recommended Smoke Alarms be installed in all
circulation spaces (normally hallways and staircases) that form part of escape
routes, on every level, in all rooms and areas that present a high fire risk and
between the sleeping area(s) and the most likely sources of fire (living room
and kitchen).
2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence:
Blocks of flats. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in individual flats,
provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection
requirements in common areas like foyers, hallways, corridors, or porches.
Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning
to all residents or meet local fire protection by-laws/ regulations.
3. Institutions:
Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities. This Smoke
Alarm may be suitable for use in individual patient sleeping/resident rooms,
provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection
requirements in common areas like foyers, hallways, corridors, or porches.
Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning
to all residents or meet local fire protection by-laws/regulations.
4. Hotels and Motels:
Also hostels, inns, boarding houses and sheltered housing. This Smoke Alarm
may be suitable for use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, provided a
primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection require-
ments in common areas like foyers, hallways, corridors, or porches. Using
this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all
residents or meet local fire protection by-laws/ regulations.
