DSC PC3OOO, Installation Manual

Page: 10 / 44

6
GUIDELINES FOR SMOKE
DETECTOR LOCATION
Experience has shown that all hostile fires in family living
units generate smoke to a greater or lesser extent.
Experiments using typical fires in family living units indicate
that detectable quantities of smoke precede detectable
levels of heat in most cases. For these reasons, smoke
detectors should be installed outside of each sleeping area
and on each additional story of the family unit.
The following information is for general guidance only and it
is recommended that the smoke detector manufacturer's
literature be used for detailed installation instructions.
It is recommended that additional smoke detectors beyond
those required be installed for increased protection. The
added areas include: basement, bedrooms, dining rooms,
furnace room, utility room and hallways not protected by
the required detectors.
FIG. 1: A smoke detector should be located between
the sleeping area and the rest of the family unit.
FIG. 2: In the family living units with more than one
sleeping area, a smoke detector should be located to
protect each sleeping area.
FIG. 3: A smoke detector should be located on each
story of the living unit.
FIG. 4: Smoke Detector mounting - “Dead” Air Space.
The smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling,
spreads out across the ceiling surface and begins to
bank down from the ceiling. The corner where the
ceiling and wall meet is an air space into which the
smoke may have difficulty penetrating. In most fires,
this “dead” air space measures about 4 in. (0.1m)
along the ceiling from the corner and about 4 in.
(0.1m) down the wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors
should not be placed in the dead air space.
Bedroom Bedroom
Dining
Room
Living
Room
Hall
Basement
Bedroom Bedroom
Bedroom
Bathroom
Kitchen
Living
Room
Bedroom
Living
Room
Dining
Room
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bedroom
Family
Room
Acceptable here
Top of detector
acceptable here
Side wall
Note:
Measurements shown are to the
closest edge of the detector.
4 in.
(0.1m)
minimum
12 in.
(0.3m)
maximum
Never here
Ceiling
4 in.
(0.1m)