25
A P P E N D I X A
Guidelines for Locating Smoke Detectors
Experience has shown that all hostile fires in family living units generate smoke to a
greater or lesser extent. Experiments using typical fires in family living units indicate
that detectable quantities of smoke precede detectable levels of heat in most cases. In
existing homes, NFPA Standard 72 requires that a smoke detector be installed outside
each sleeping area and on each additional story of the family unit.
The following information is for general guidance only and it is recommended that
NFPA Standard 72 (National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park,
Quincy MA 02269
) be consulted and that the smoke detector manufacturer’s literature
be used for detailed installation instructions.
It is recommended that additional smoke detectors beyond those required be installed
for increased protection. The added areas include: basement, bedrooms, dining rooms,
furnace room, utility room and hallways not protected by the required detectors.
Figure 1: A smoke detector should be located
between the sleeping area and the rest of the
family unit.
Figure 3: A smoke detector should be located on
each story of the living unit.
Figure 2: In the family living units with more than
one sleeping area, a smoke detector should be
located to protect each sleeping area.
NOTE
: The Smoke Detector is designed
to use Eveready Energizer E91 Alkaline
Batteries. Do not use other brands of
batteries with the Smoke Detector. Using
brands other than the Eveready Energizer
will void UL approval, and may affect the
system’s operation.
Figure 4: Smoke Detector mounting - “Dead” Air
Space. The smoke from a fire generally rises to
the ceiling, spreads out across the ceiling sur-
face and begins to bank down from the ceiling.
The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an
air space into which the smoke may have diffi-
culty penetrating. In most fires, this “dead” air
space measures about 4 in. (0.1m) along the
ceiling from the corner and about 4 in. (0.1m)
down the wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors
should not be placed in the dead” air space.
Family Room
Bedroom
Living
Room
Dining
Room
Kitchen
Bedroom
Bedroom
NEVER
HERE
Acceptable
here
Top of detector
acceptable here
12"
(0.3m)
Max.
4"
(0.1m)
Max.
4"
(0.1m)
Ceiling
Wall
NOTE: Measurements shown are to
the closest edge of the detector.
Bedroom
Bedroom
Basement
Living
Room
Dining
Room
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Living Room
Kitchen
