In houses with more than one sleeping area, Smoke Alarms
should be placed between each sleeping area and the living
area (for example, see figure 2).
(b) Multi Storey Dwellings
If your home is on more than one level the best place for your
first Smoke Alarm is in the downstairs hallway near the stairs
(for example see figure 3). This is because smoke is likely to be
detectable in the hallway before it reaches the upstairs landing
and bedrooms. Your second Smoke Alarm should be upstairs,
because the downstairs Smoke Alarm is unlikely to detect the
smoke from a fire in a bedroom upstairs.
(c) Maximum Protection
For maximum protection you should put individual Smoke
Alarms in all the rooms where fire is most likely to break out
(apart from the locations to avoid, mentioned below). The living
room is the most likely place for a fire to start at night, followed
by the kitchen and then the dining room. You should also
consider putting 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. You could also consider putting Smoke Alarms in any
rooms where the occupant is unable to respond very well to a
fire starting in the room, such as an elderly or sick person or a
very young child.
(d) Checking you can hear your Smoke Alarm
With the Smoke Alarm sounding in its intended location, check
you are able to hear it in each bedroom with the door closed,
above the sound of your radio. The radio should be set to a
reasonably loud conversation level. If you can’t hear it over your
radio the chances are that it wouldn’t wake you.
If a Smoke Alarm is too far away for it to wake you, it is best to
link it to another Smoke Alarm near the bedroom. The
Interconnect Smoke Alarms Ei105C and Ei100C are designed
for this - when one alarm senses smoke, all connected alarms
respond.
Positioning your Smoke Alarm
(a) Ceiling Mounting
Hot smoke rises and spreads out, so a central ceiling position
is the preferred location. The air is “dead” and does not move in
corners, therefore Smoke Alarms must be mounted away from
corners. Place the unit at least 30cm (12 inches) from any light
fitting or decorative object which might obstruct smoke entering
the Smoke Alarm. Keep at least 15 cm (6 inches) away from
walls and corners. See figure 4.
(b) Wall Mounting
When a ceiling position is not practical (for example on a ceiling
having exposed beams or joists, or built-in radiant heating) put
the top edge of your Smoke Alarm between 15 and 30 cm (6
and 12 inches) below the ceiling. Keep at least 15cm (6 inches)
from corners. (see figure 4).
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