Installation planning
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Recommended location of smoke alarms
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Standard guidelines should be followed and locations should be planned for optimum performance when installing
the smoke alarms. The Building Code or Australia and regional Government Legislations provide direction.
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For optimal performance, alarms should be mounted as close to the centre of the rooms as practical and on the ceiling
for residential applications (see diagram 2).
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Smoke alarms should be located in the vicinity of sleeping areas, bed rooms and along the path to the exit as the
sleeping quarters are usually further from building exits.
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Smoke alarms should be mounted near each end of hallways longer than 9 metres.
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Smoke alarms on ceiling must be installed at least 300mm away from walls or corners (see diagram 3).
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Where it is necessary to mount smoke alarms on a wall, use the inside wall of the room and position them between
300mm and 500mm from the ceiling. (See diagram 3).
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The alarm should be at least 500mm away from the apex of any angled ceiling surface and no greater than 1500mm
(see diagram 3).
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Alarms should be located in every room where electrical appliances are used.
Multi Storey
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Alarms should be installed on every floor level.
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Stairwells can act like chimneys as smoke can rise through them, so additional alarms should be located in these areas
(see diagram 1).
Mobile Homes
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For modern mobile homes or caravans with efficient insulation, install smoke alarms as recommended, refer
‘Recommended location of smoke alarms’.
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For older and mobile homes and caravans that are not well insulated on external surfaces compared to current
standards, external temperatures can vary to extreme heat or cold. In these cases the smoke alarm should be
mounted on an inside partition between 300mm and 500mm from the ceiling surface. This is to overcome the
problem where the temperature conditions on external surfaces may create a thermal barrier where smoke may not
reach the ceiling.
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If unsure of the insulation in the mobile home it is recommended to install the alarm on an inside wall panel, and for
minimum protection install at least one alarm near bedrooms.
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Note: for smoke alarm use in mobile homes it is recommended to test them before each excursion and at least once
a week during use, particularly if travelling on rough roads.
Locations to avoid:
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Air-conditioner ducts or appliance outlets that create airflow such as heaters where combustion heat particles rise
and spread horizontally.
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Avoid locating the smoke alarms within 1 metre as it can cause nuisance triggering or smoke particles may be blown
away from alarm.
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Avoid installation in kitchen areas as nuisance triggering can occur from cooking fumes, heat or smoke particles
rising.
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Avoid installation in damp areas or extremely humid locations where relative humidity may reach 90%.
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Avoid installing in areas where there are large temperature variations such as 5 to 45 degrees as performance may
vary in extreme conditions and battery life may be reduced.
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Avoid installing alarms in areas that are considered “dead air space” where smoke will unlikely reach the alarm (see
diagram 3).
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It is recommended not to locate your alarm in the garage - products of combustion that are present when you start
your vehicle may cause nuisance triggering.
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Do not locate your alarm less than 500mm from the peak of an “A” frame type ceiling (see diagram 3).
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Avoid dusty areas or areas where insects may infest the unit as it may cause nuisance triggering or premature failure.
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Avoid installation in close proximity to other electrical equipment or fluorescent lights as electromagnetic
interference may cause nuisance triggering.
Caution
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All interconnected smoke alarms must be supplied from the same circuit.
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A common Neutral wire must be used for Interconnect to function.
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MAX. Interconnected alarms: 24.
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MAX. Wiring length between first and last alarm: 150m.
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DO NOT connect the interconnect wires to Live or Neutral.
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Observe and follow all local and national electrical and building codes for installation.
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Use a minimum of 1.0 mm2 250V insulated wire for all wiring, including
interconnecting wiring.
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Living Room
Lounge Room
Kitchen / Dining
Diagram 1
Diagram 2 - Suggest alarm location
Diagram 3
