WHERE TO FIT A SMOKE DETECTOR
Before the detector responds a certain amount of smoke will first have to enter the device. The
detector must be installed within 10 paces of the seat of a fire to be able to respond, and in such a
way that the sound of the alarm will reach you anywhere in the home, even if you are asleep.
A single smoke detector in your home gives some protection providing it is fitted in the correct
place, but two or more smoke detectors in your home ensure better safety in warning you in good
time. It is best to install smoke detectors in all spaces where a fire could originate, and certainly in
children’s rooms.
It is important to fit the alarm in a passageway or hallway between the living room and bedrooms.
Fit it as near as possible to the living room, but make sure you could still clearly hear the alarm
in your bedroom (see figure 1). If it is a large home with a passageway or hallway longer than 15
metres, one smoke detector is not sufficient. The distance to a possible seat of fire can then be
more than 7.5 metres, which is too long. In a home with more than one sleeping part it is recom-
mended to fit smoke detectors between all bedrooms and the living room.
• Fit the smoke detector in the middle of the ceiling
but not in the neighbourhood of draughts or other
air flows
• Always at least 60 cm from the wall.
• It is particularly important to not fit the detector in
the apex of a roof because fumes cannot usually
reach corners.
Minimum protection:
install a smoke detector on each
floor.
• Within 7.5 metres of spaces where
a fire can occur.
• Within 3 metres of bedrooms.
Maximum protection:
install a smoke detector in all rooms
(except bathroom, kitchen, garage or
other dusty places).
