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AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
NFPA 72 (National Fire Code)
Smoke Alarms shall be installed in each separate sleeping room, outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicin-
ity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl
spaces and unfinished attics.
In new construction, Alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one Alarm shall cause the operation of all
Alarms within the dwelling.
Smoke Detection-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 loca-
tions 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 bed-
rooms), 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, 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 distance is not possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller homes, for example – it is recom-
mended the Smoke Alarm be placed as far from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The placement rec-
ommendations are intended to keep these Alarms at a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source, and
thus reduce “unwanted” or “nuisance” 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. Clean a
laundry room unit frequently to keep it free of dust or lint.
•
Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can blow smoke away from the unit, prevent-
ing it from reaching sensing chamber.
•
In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing chamber and cause unwanted alarms.
•
Less than 12 inches (305 mm) 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.
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.
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 bat-
teries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units must be installed by a qualified electrician.
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. These units can be interconnected so if one unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
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 the Alarm. If you are unsure which type of unit to install,
refer to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 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.
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 addi-
tional protection in these facilities.
The following information applies to all four types of buildings listed below:
In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/DC powered Smoke Alarms only. AC, AC/DC,
or DC powered Smoke Alarms can be used in existing construction 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/regu-
lations.
4. Hotels and Motels:
Also boarding houses and dormitories. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use inside indi-
vidual 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.
