AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
NFPA 72 (National Fire Code) Chapter 11
“For your information, the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 72,
reads as follows:”
“11.5.1 One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units.”
“11.5.1.1 Smoke Detection. Where required by applicable laws, codes, or
standards for the specified occupancy, approved single- and multiple-station
Smoke Alarms shall be installed as follows: (1) In all sleeping rooms.
Exception: Smoke Alarms shall not be required in sleeping rooms in existing
one- and two-family dwelling units. (2) Outside of each separate sleeping area,
in immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms. (3) On each level of the dwelling
unit, including basements Exception: In existing one- and two family dwelling
units, approved Smoke Alarms powered by batteries are permitted.”
“A.11.8.3 Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number of Smoke
Alarms might not provide reliable early warning protection for those areas
separated by a door from the areas protected by the required Smoke Alarms.
For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of
additional Smoke Alarms for those areas for increased protection. The additional
areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room,
and hallways not protected by the required Smoke Alarms. The installation of
Smoke Alarms in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not
normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experience conditions
that can result in improper operation.”
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection
equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A Smoke Alarm
installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bedrooms),
and Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms,
kitchens, hallways, finished attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage
rooms, basements, and attached garages.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS
For best performance, it is recommended you AVOID installing Smoke
Alarms in these 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 (6 m) distance is not possible – in modular,
mobile, or smaller homes, for example – it is recommended the Smoke
Alarm be placed as far from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The
placement recommendations are intended to keep these Alarms at a
reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source, and thus reduce “unwanted”
alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if a Smoke Alarm is placed directly next
to a fuel-burning source. Ventilate these areas as much as possible.
•
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, or directly near bathrooms with
showers. Keep units at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from showers,
saunas, dishwashers, etc.
•
Where the temperatures are regularly below 40˚ F (4˚ C) or above 100˚ F
(38˚ C), including unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, porches, or unfinished
attics or basements.
•
In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a Smoke Alarm directly over
the stove or range. 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 12 inches (305mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise”
can interfere with the sensor.
•
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 center of the ceiling as
possible. If this is not possible, install the Smoke 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
Alarms should be placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm)
from the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install the first Smoke Alarm within
3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured horizontally. Additional
Smoke 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.
SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
This Smoke Alarm alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire
detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment
buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, long-term
health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group homes of
any kind—even if they were once single-family homes. 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 codes 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 codes require the use of AC or AC/DC
powered Smoke Alarms only. In existing construction, AC, AC/DC, or DC
powered Smoke Alarms can be used as specified by local building codes.
Refer to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety
Code), local building codes, or consult your Fire Department for detailed
fire protection requirements in buildings not defined as “households.”
1. Single-Family Residence:
Single family home, townhouse. It is recommended Smoke Alarms be
installed on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and in each
bedroom hallway.
2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence:
Apartment building, condominium. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in
individual apartments or condos, provided a primary fire detection system
already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like
lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas
may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire
protection ordinances/regulations.
3. Institutions:
Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities. This Smoke
Alarm is 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 lobbies, hallways, or porches.
Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient
warning to all residents or meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.
4. Hotels and Motels:
Also boarding houses and dormitories. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for
use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, provided a primary fire
detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in
common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm
in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or
meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.
ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery (DC) operated 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. However, they do not provide
interconnected functionality.
AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit senses
smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails.
AC with battery (DC) back-up: will operate if electricity fails, provided the
batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units must be installed
by a qualified electrician.
Wireless Interconnected Alarms: Offer the same interconnected functionality
as with hardwired alarms, without wires. Units are easy to install and do not
require professional installation. They provide protection even when electricity
fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Smoke Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup power
systems: AC powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated with true or pure
sine wave inverters. Operating this Smoke Alarm with most battery-powered
UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or square wave or “quasi sine
wave” inverters will damage the Alarm. If you are not sure about your inverter
or UPS type, please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke Alarms
should be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a visual alarm and
an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of the Americans With
Disabilities Act. Can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units
alarm.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless the
combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if located,
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 Chapter 2
of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72 (National Fire
Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code). National Fire Protection
Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Local building
codes may also require specific units in new construction or in different areas
of the home.
4
