10
3 Where To Locate
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
Single story
one sleeping area
Two story dwelling
Single story
more tan one sleeping areas
As a minimum, smoke alarms should be located between sleeping areas and potential sources of fire such as living
rooms and kitchens. In single story homes with one sleeping area, a smoke alarm should be installed in the hallway,
as close as possible to the living accommodation. To ensure audibility in bedrooms, no smoke alarm should be
further away than 3m from any bedroom door. It may be necessary to install more than one smoke alarm, particularly
the hallway is more than 15m long. In single story homes with two separate sleeping areas, a minimum of two smoke
alarms is required, one outside each sleeping area. In multilevel or split level homes, as a minimum a smoke alarm
should be installed on the ground floor between the staircase and any rooms in which a fire might start and on each
story in circulation areas which form part of escape route (normally hallways and landings).
Additional alarms should be installed in bedrooms in anticipation of fires originating here, caused by faulty wiring,
lights, appliances, smokers or other hazards.
For best protection, smoke alarms should be installed in every room in your home, apart from those listed in the
Section 4 LOCATIONS TO AVOID. Heat alarms should be used in kitchens, boiler rooms, laundry, rooms, garages and
such like, where smoke alarms would be unsuitable.
Install smoke alarms in circulation areas at a distance no greater than 7.5m from the farthest wall, no greater than
7.5m from a door to any room in which a fire might start and no greater than 7.5m from the next smoke alarm.
As it is impossible to predict the source of a fire, the best location for an alarm is usually the center of a room or
hallway. If it is necessary to place a smoke alarm on a wall, always locate the detection element of the alarm 150mm
to 300mm(6 to 12 inches) below the ceiling and the bottom of the alarm above the level of doors and other
openings.
In rooms with simple sloped, peaked or gabled ceilings, install smoke alarms on the ceiling 900mm(3feet) from the
highest point of the ceiling. “Dead air” at the peak of a ceiling may prevent the smoke from reaching the alarm in
time to provide an early warning.
Read Section 4 LOCATIONS TO AVOID and Section and 13 LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE ALARMS in this manual.
CAUTION: Research indicates that substantial increases in warning time can be obtained with each properly
installed, additional alarm. It is strongly recommended that advice in 3.3 above be followed to ensure maximum
protection.
These alarms are intended to primarily for single-occupancy private dwellings.
For use in other applications the manufacturer’s advice must be sought.
