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6. Install Smoke Sensors (cont'd)
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
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DETECTOR LOCATION
The ISEC-SMOKE should be installed in accordance with the National Fire Protec-
tion 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 standards
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 separated
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 hallways not protected by the
required smoke detectors. The installation of smoke detectors in kitchens, attics
(finished or unfinished), or garages is not normally recommended, 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 effective,
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 pro-
vide 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 adjacent 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 circulation will keep smoke
from entering the detector. Installing smoke detectors in kitchens, garages or fur-
nace 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 situations.
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 valua-
bles. 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 recognition
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 instruct-
ed 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 tragedy 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 chil-
dren’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. Request
Standard No. NFPA 72.
