2
INSTALLATION
WHERE TO INSTALL THIS ALARM
Minimum coverage for Smoke Alarms
, as recommended by the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is one Smoke Alarm on
every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom (See
“Regulatory Information For Smoke Alarms” for details on the NFPA rec-
ommendations).
For CO Alarms,
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recom-
mends that a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each sep-
arate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. For added
protection, install additional CO Alarms in each separate bedroom, and
on every level of your home.
In general, install combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Alarms:
•
On every level of your home, including finished attics and base-
ments.
•
Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly
or completely closed.
•
In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple
sleeping areas, install a unit in each. If a hall is more than 40 feet
(12 meters) long, install a unit at each end.
•
At the top of first-to-second floor stairs.
•
At the bottom of the basement stairs.
•
For additional coverage, install Alarms in all rooms, halls, and stor-
age areas, where temperatures normally remain between 40˚F and
100˚F (4˚C and 38˚C).
Recommended Placement
•
When installing on the wall, the top edge of Smoke Alarms should
be placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and 6 inches (152 mm) from
the wall/ceiling line with the battery drawer up.
•
When installing on the ceiling, place the alarm as close to the
center as possible.
•
In either case, install at least 4 inches (102 mm) from where the wall
and ceiling meet. See “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces” for more informa-
tion.
NOTE:
For any location, make sure no door or other obstruction could
keep carbon monoxide or smoke from reaching the Alarm.
Installing Smoke/CO Alarms in Mobile Homes
For minimum security install one Smoke/CO Alarm as close to each
sleeping area as possible. For more security, put one unit in each room.
Many older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little
or no insulation. If your mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are
unsure of the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on
inside walls only.
SUGGESTED AREAS FOR INSTALLING
SMOKE ALARMS, CO ALARMS, AND COMBO UNITS
SMOKE ALARM WITH
SILENCE FEATURE
CO ALARMS
BOTH, OR COMBINATION
SMOKE/CO ALARMS
SMOKE ALARMS
KEY:
Suggested locations are based on
NFPA recommendations (NFPA 72
for Smoke Alarms and NFPA 720 for
Carbon Monoxide Alarms). Always
refer to national and local codes
before beginning any installation.
In new construction AC and AC/DC smoke alarms MUST
be interconnected to meet NFPA recommendations.
WHERE THIS ALARM SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED
Do NOT locate this Smoke/CO Alarm:
•
In garages, kitchens, furnace rooms, crawl spaces and unfinished
attics. Avoid extremely dusty, dirty or greasy areas.
•
Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles
form when something burns. Areas to avoid include poorly ventilated
kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet (6
meters) from the sources of combustion particles (stove, furnace,
water heater, space heater) if possible. In areas where a 20-foot dis-
tance is not possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller homes, for
example – it is recommended the Smoke/CO Alarm be placed as far
from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The placement recom-
mendations are intended to keep these Alarms at a reasonable dis-
tance from a fuel-burning source, and thus reduce “unwanted” or
“nuisance” alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if a Smoke/CO
Alarm is placed directly next to a fuel-burning source. Ventilate these
areas as much as possible.
•
Within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of any cooking appliance. In air streams
near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke into the smoke
sensor and cause unwanted alarms.
•
In extremely humid areas. This Alarm should be at least 10 feet (3
meters) from a shower, sauna, humidifier, vaporizer, dishwasher,
laundry room, utility room, or other source of high humidity.
•
In direct sunlight.
•
In turbulent air, like near ceiling fans or open windows. Blowing air
may prevent CO or smoke from reaching the sensors.
•
In areas where temperature is colder than 40˚F (4˚C) or hotter than
100˚F (38˚C). These areas include non-airconditioned crawl spaces,
unfinished attics, uninsulated or poorly insulated ceilings, porches,
and garages.
•
In insect infested areas. Insects can clog the openings to the sens-
ing chamber.
•
Less than 12 inches (305 mm) away from fluorescent lights.
Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.
•
In “dead air” spaces. See “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces”.
AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke/CO
Alarm. To avoid dead air spaces, follow installation recommendations
below.
On ceilings,
install Smoke/CO Alarms as close to the center of the ceil-
ing as possible. If this is not possible, install the Smoke/CO Alarm at
least 4 inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting
(if allowed by building codes), the top edge of
Smoke/CO Alarms should be placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and
6 inches (152 mm) from the wall/ceiling line with the battery drawer up,
below typical “dead air” spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling,
install first Smoke/CO
Alarm within 3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured hor-
izontally. Additional Smoke/CO Alarms may be required depending on
the length, angle, etc. of the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for details
on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
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