10. NFPA Required Protection
The National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72 provides the
following information:
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. (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.
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
the smoke alarms in the kitchen, attic (finished or unfinished), or garage
is normally not recommended, as these locations occasionally experience
conditions that can result in improper operation.
This equipment should be installed in accordance with the National Fire
Protection Association’s Standard 72 (NFPA, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA
“Early warning fire 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 of,
but outside of the bedrooms), and heat or smoke alarms in the living
rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, attics, furnace
rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements and attached
garages.”
