Existing Homes:
The NFPA requires smoke alarms or combination alarms on every level and outside each sleeping area in
existing construction. An existing household with one level and one sleeping area is required to have one
smoke alarm.
New Construction Homes and Manufactured Homes:
The NFPA requires AC-powered, interconnected smoke alarms to be installed inside each bedroom, outside
each bedroom area, and on every level of the home. They also require a minimum of two AC-powered,
interconnected smoke alarms or combination alarms in any new construction home.
Natural gas (methane) is typically supplied through a main utility line connected to your home.
Early warning is best achieved by the installation of alarms on all floors and areas of the household.
WHERE THIS SMOKE, CO AND NATURAL GAS ALARM SHOULD BE INSTALLED
•
Install an alarm inside each bedroom where the occupant closes the door while sleeping.
•
An alarm should be installed in any family living unit containing a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace
or having an attached garage.
•
An alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate
vicinity of the bedrooms. Where bedrooms are separated and audibility of the alarm to occupants
within the bedroom area could be seriously impaired, more than one alarm could be needed.
• Locate the first combination alarm in the immediate area of the bedrooms. Try to protect the
escape route as the bedrooms are usually farthest from an exit. If more than one sleeping area
exists, locate additional combination alarms in each sleeping area. If a hall is more than 40 feet
(12 meters) long, install a combination alarm at each end.
• Locate additional alarms to protect any stairway as stairways act like chimneys for smoke and
heat.
• Locate at least one combination Smoke, CO and Gas alarm on every floor level.
• Locate an alarm in any area where a smoker sleeps or where electrical appliances are operated
in sleeping areas.
• Smoke, heat and other combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally. Mounting
the alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it closest to all points in the room. Ceiling
mounting is preferred in ordinary residential construction. However, in mobile homes, wall mount-
ing on an inside partition is preferred to avoid the thermal barrier that may form at the ceiling.
• When mounting the alarm on the ceiling, locate it a minimum of 4" (10cm) from a side wall or
corner (see Diagram A).
• When mounting the alarm on a wall, if local codes allow, use an inside wall with the top edge of the
smoke alarm a minimum of 4" (10cm) and a maximum of 12" (30.5cm) below the ceiling/wall
intersections (See Diagram A).
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Sloped Ceilings (Peaked Ceilings):
Smoke alarms or combination alarms mounted on a peaked ceiling shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm)
horizontally of the peak, but not closer than 4 in. (102 mm) vertically to the peak.
Sloped Ceilings (Shed Ceilings):
Smoke alarms or combination alarms mounted on a sloped ceiling having a rise greater than 1 ft. in 8 ft. (1
m in 8 m) horizontally shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm) of the high side of the ceiling, but not closer
than 4 in. (102 mm) from the adjoining wall surface.
