Additional Recommendations
The National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72 provides the
following information:
Where required by other governing laws, codes, or standards for a
specific type of occupancy, approved single and multiple-station smoke
alarms shall be installed as follows:
1. In all sleeping rooms and guest rooms
2. Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within
6.4 m (21’) of any door to a sleeping room, with the distance
measured along a path of travel
3. On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements
4. On every level of a residential board and care occupancy (small
facility), including basements and excluding crawl spaces and
unfinished attics
5. In the living area(s) of a guest suite
6. In the living area(s) of a residential board and care occupancy
(small facility)
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 attics (finished or unfinished),
garages, or within 6’ of a heating or cooking appliance is not normally
recommended, as these locations occasionally experience conditions that
can result in improper operation.
14. Good Safety Habits
