Requirements and recommendations
for proper use of fire alarm systems
including smoke detectors and other
fire alarm devices:
Early fire detection is best achieved by the installation and main-
tenance of fire detection equipment in all rooms and areas of
the house or building in accordance with the requirements and
recommendations of the current edition of the National Fire Pro-
tection Association Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA
72), the manufacturer’s recommendations, State and local codes
and the recommendations contained in Guide for the Proper Use
of System Smoke Detectors, which is made available at no charge
to all installing dealers. For specific requirements, check with
the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (ex. Fire Chief) for fire
protection systems.
Requirements and Recommendations include:
• For residential applications, smoke detectors shall be in
stalled outside of each separate sleeping area in the im
mediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional
story of the family living unit, including basements and
excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics.
• Smoke detectors shall be installed in sleeping rooms in new
construction and it is recommended that they shall also be
installed in sleeping rooms in existing construction.
• It is recommended that more than one smoke detector shall
be installed in a hallway if it is more than 30 feet long.
• It is recommended that there shall never be less then two
smoke detectors per apartment or residence.
•
It is recommended that smoke detectors be located in any
room where an alarm control is located, or in any room
where alarm control connections to an AC source or phone
lines are made.
If detectors are not so located, a fire within the room could
prevent the control from reporting a fire.
• All fire alarm systems require notification devices, including
sirens, bells, horns, and/or strobes. In residential applica
tions, each automatic alarm initiating device when activated
shall cause the operation of an alarm notification device
that shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over ambient
or background noise levels (at least 15dB above noise)
with all intervening doors closed.
• It is recommended that a smoke detector with an integral
sounder (smoke alarm) be located in every bedroom and an
additional notification device be located on each level of a
residence.
• To keep your fire alarm system in excellent working order,
ongoing maintenance is required per the manufacturer’s rec
ommendations and UL and NFPA standards. At a minimum
the requirements of Chapter 7 of NFPA 72 shall be followed.
A maintenance agreement should be arranged through the
local manufacturer’s representative. Maintenance should be
performed annually by authorized personnel only.
• The most common cause of an alarm system not function
ing when a fire occurs is inadequate maintenance. As
such, the alarm system should be tested weekly to make sure
all sensors and transmitters are working properly.
• Although designed for long life, fire alarm devices including
smoke detectors may fail at any time. It is recommended that
residential smoke detectors shall be replaced every 10 years.
• Any smoke detector, fire alarm system or any component of
that system which fails shall be repaired or replaced immediately.
Typical System Installations per NFPA 72
DINING
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM
TV ROOM
KITCHEN DINING BDRM
BDRM
LIVING ROOM
LIVING
ROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
KITCHEN
TO
BR
CLOSED
DOOR
BASEMENT
GARAGE
- Smoke Detectors required
- Smoke Detectors required with integral sounders recommended
- Heat Activated Detectors required
- Smoke Detectors for additional protection
- Notification Devices
As of January 2000, this document supersedes any previous liability information
enclosed with this product.
D400-84-00 12 I56-2443-00
©2003 System Sensor
