3
•
For optimum protection, install smoke alarms in all
rooms, hallways, basement rooms, storage spaces, etc. –
bear in mind
4.3.1 Prohibited installation locations
and
4.3.2 Installation locations with limitations
.
•
For minimum protection in buildings with open connec-
tions between floors (for example, open stairway), it is
recommended that you install a smoke alarm on the top
floor. (1b)
1b
Smoke alarms for minimum protection
Smoke alarms for optimal protection
Installation locations with limitations
Bedroom
Children’s
room
Hallway
Living
room
Kitchen
Basement
Workshop
•
For minimum protection in buildings that do not have open
connections between floors (for example, stairway with
doors between the floors), it is recommended that you
install a smoke alarm on the top level of every floor. (1c)
1c
Smoke alarms for minimum protection
Smoke alarms for optimal protection
Installation locations with limitations
Bedroom
Children’s
room
Hallway
Living
room
Kitchen
Basement
Workshop
Note
Generally speaking, the alarm signal is loud enough to
warn people. However, situations may arise where people
cannot hear the alarm signal (for example, very loud
background noise, people sleep very deeply and/or have a
hearing impairment, people under the influence of drugs or
alcohol, etc.). If you suspect that this applies to people in
your environment, install additional, special smoke alarms.
4.Reasons for false alarms
Some rooms and environments are liable to trigger false
alarms due to their typical use. The following factors affect
smoke alarms:
•
Steam, cooking vapours, other vapours
•
Welding, soldering, cutting and other hot work
•
Sawing and grinding
•
Building/cleaning work that produces dust
•
Strong electromagnetic effects
•
Major fluctuations in temperature that can lead to
excessive humidity and the formation of condensation in
the smoke alarm
•
etc.
If these factors occur only temporarily – for example,
during renovation work – cover the smoke alarm or remove
it for the necessary time period (see following warning).
If false alarms often occur through such triggers – for
example, in the kitchen – you may need to adjust the
installation of the smoke alarm accordingly.
Warning – Renovation work, work in the
vicinity of the smoke alarm
•
Before beginning renovation work, dismount the
smoke alarm (see
7.5 Dismounting the smoke
alarm
) or cover it (making sure it is free of dust).
•
Ideally you want to keep the smoke alarm in a safe,
dust-free location for the duration of the work.
•
Make sure that the smoke alarm is not painted over
and that no remnants of adhesive tape are left on the
housing.
•
Dust, paint, adhesive tape or other contaminants can im-
pair the sensitivity of the trigger, and potentially render
the smoke alarm completely inoperable and ineffective.
•
Reinstall all correctly functioning smoke alarms at their
installation locations. If smoke alarms no longer func-
tion correctly, replace them with new ones immediately.
•
After installing the smoke alarms, check that they all
function correctly as described in
7.1 Test
.
4.3 Installation locations and optimum positioning
of the smoke alarms
Note
The specified installation locations and illustrated
positions of the smoke alarms are provided merely as ex-
amples based on average flats and houses, and should
be used for reference only.
4.3.1 Prohibited installation locations
•
Do not install smoke alarms in garages – the combustion
by-products/exhaust gases caused by starting a car can
trigger false alarms.
•
Rooms in which the temperatures fall below 0°C or rise
above 40°C, or rooms in which humidity is greater than
93% are unsuitable.
