3
A smoke alarm should be
located between the sleeping
area and the rest of the family
living unit.
In family living units with more
than one sleeping area, a smoke
alarm should be provided for
each separate sleeping area.
Indicates required smoke detector
Indicates optional smoke detector if
door is not provided between Living
and Recreation rooms.
A smoke detector should be
located on each story
NFPA STANDARD FOR SMOKE-DETECTOR LOCATION
The GEMC-WL-SMK should be installed in accordance with the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 72. For your information, the National Fire
Protection Association's Standard 72, reads as follows:
11.5.1 One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units.
11.5.1.1 Smoke Detection Where required by applicable laws, codes, or stan-
dards for the specified occupancy, approved single- and multiple-station smoke
alarms shall be installed as follows: (1) In all sleeping rooms. Exception: Smoke
alarms shall not be required in sleeping rooms in existing one- and two- family
dwelling units. (2) Outside of each separate sleeping area, in immediate vicinity of
the sleeping rooms. (3) On each level of the dwelling unit, including basements.
Exception: In existing one- and two-family dwelling units, approved smoke alarms
powered by batteries are permitted.
11.8.3 Are More Smoke Detectors Desirable? The required number of smoke
detectors might not provide reliable early warning protection for those areas sepa-
rated by a door from the areas protected by the required smoke detectors. For this
reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional
smoke detectors for those areas for increased protection. The additional areas
include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hall-
ways not protected by the required smoke detectors. The installation of smoke
detectors in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not normally rec-
ommended, as these locations occasionally experience conditions that can result in
improper operation.
There exist certain situations where the presence of a smoke alarm is not ef-
fective, such as smoking in bed, the testing of gas leaks with a flame or for warning
against the existence of high carbon monoxide levels inside a family living unit.
Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping individuals;
it is therefore the responsibility of individuals in the household that are capable of
assisting others to provide assistance to those who may not be awakened by the
alarm sound and to provide assistance to those who may be incapable of safely
evacuating the area unassisted.
For family living units with one or more split levels (i.e., adjacent levels with less
than one full story separation between levels), a smoke detector required as above
shall suffice for an adjacent lower level, including basements.
Exception: Where there is an intervening door between one level and the adja-
cent lower level, a smoke detector shall be installed on the lower level.
•
Ceiling-mounted smoke alarms should be located in the center of the room or
hall, or not less than 4 inches from any wall. When the detector is mounted on
a wall, the top of the detector should be 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.
•
Do not install smoke alarms where normal ambient temperatures are above
100°F (37.8°C), below 40°F (4.4°C) or greater than 92% humidity unless the
alarm has been determined to be capable of being used at installation points
with higher or lower ambient temperatures. Also, do not locate alarm in front of
air conditioners, heating registers, or other locations where normal air circula-
tion will keep smoke from entering the detector. Installing smoke detectors in
kitchens, garages or furnace rooms is NOT recommended.
All installation wiring must be in accordance with the provisions of Article 210 of
the National Electrical Code, ANSI / NFPA 70. All protected premises fire alarm
systems shall be maintained and tested (at least once every month) in accordance
with NFPA 72.
FIRE PREVENTION AND ESCAPE
The purpose of an early warning smoke alarm is to detect the presence of fire
in its early stages, and sound an alarm giving the occupants more time to exit the
premise before the smoke reaches a dangerous concentration level.
Fires start even with the best of housekeeping and fire-prevention procedures.
Fire is an unexpected event. Early warning detection alerts occupants in time to
act.
KNOW FIRE HAZARDS
. No detection device can protect life in all situa-
tions. Therefore, safeguards should be taken to avoid such potentially dangerous
situations as smoking in bed, leaving children home alone, cleaning with flammable
liquids such as gasoline.
The best fire protection is minimizing fire hazards through proper storage of
materials and general good housekeeping techniques. A cluttered basement, attic,
or other storage area is an open invitation to fire.
Careless use of combustible materials and electrical appliances, or overloading
of electrical outlets are other prime causes in starting fires.
It is most important that explosive and/or fast-burning materials be eliminated
from the home if at all possible.
Even after proper precautions have been taken, fires can start. Be prepared.
IN CASE OF FIRE
. Leave immediately. Don’t stop to pack or search for
valuables. In heavy smoke, hold your breath and stay low -- crawl if necessary.
The clearest air is usually at the floor.
If you have to go through a closed door, carefully feel the door and door knob
to see if undue heat is present. If they seem relatively cool, brace your foot against
the bottom of the door with your hip against the door and one hand against the top
edge. Open it slightly. If a rush of hot air is felt, slam the door quickly and latch it.
Unvented fire tends to build up considerable pressure. Be sure all the household
realizes and understands this danger.
Use your neighbor’s phone or a street fire alarm box. The job of extinguishing
the fire should be left to the professionals. Too many unforeseen things can occur
when inexperienced people try to extinguish afire.
BE PREPARED
. Perform fire drills regularly. Use them to assure recogni-
tion of an alarm signal. For your protection, simulate different circumstances
(smoke in hall, in living room, etc.). Then have everyone react to the situation.
Draw a floor plan and show two exits from each room. Frequently, a knotted
rope or ladder from a window will serve this purpose. It is important that children be
instructed carefully, because they tend to hide in times of crisis.
It is imperative that one meeting place outside the home be established. You
should insist that everyone meet there during an alarm. This will eliminate the trag-
edy of someone reentering the house for a missing member who is actually safe.
If you have children and/or invalids residing in your household, you can help
your fire department. Most fire departments have window decals available for use
in children’s or invalid’s bedrooms. Properly used, these decals will quickly identify
sleeping quarters of these individuals and show the department where to look first
for members of your household.
Additional information on Household Fire Warning is available at nominal cost from
The National Fire Protection Agency, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Re-
quest Standard No. NFPA 72.