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it may not be heard if: 1) the unit is located outside a closed or partially closed door, 2) residents recently consumed
alcohol or drugs, 3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from stereo, TV, traffic, air conditioner or other appliances,
4) residents are hearing impaired or sound sleepers. Special purpose units, like those with visual and audible alarms,
should be installed for hearing impaired residents.
Smoke alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself causes damage,
injury, or death, since smoke
from some fires may not reach the unit immediately. Examples of this include persons smoking in bed, children playing
with matches, or fires caused by violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.
Smoke alarms are not foolproof.
Like any electronic device, smoke alarms are made of components that can wear
out or fail at any time. You must test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection. Smoke alarms cannot prevent
or extinguish fires. They are not a substitute for property or life insurance.
Smoke alarms have a limited life.
The unit should be replaced immediately if it is not operating properly.
It is recommended you replace a smoke alarm after 10 years from date of manufacture. See back of smoke alarm for
manufacture date.
WHERE TO INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS
INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), requires one smoke alarm on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in
every bedroom. In new construction, the smoke alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. See “Agency
Placement Recommendations” for details. For additional coverage, it is recommended that you install a smoke alarm in
all rooms, halls, storage areas, finished attics, and basements, where temperatures normally remain between 40˚F (4˚C)
and 100˚F (38˚C). Make sure no door or other obstruction could keep smoke from reaching the smoke alarms.
More specifically, install smoke alarms:
• On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements.
• Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly or completely closed.
• In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping areas, install a unit in each.
If a hall is more than 40 feet (12 meters), install a unit at each end.
• At the top of the first-to-second floor stairway, and at the bottom of the basement stairway.
IMPORTANT!
Specific requirements for smoke alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region.
Check with your local Fire Department for current requirements in your area. If you install AC or AC/DC units,
it is recommended they be interconnected for added protection.
INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES
For minimum security install one smoke alarm as close to each sleeping area as possible. For more security, put one
unit in each room. Many older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no insulation. If your
mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on
inside walls only. Smoke alarms should be installed where temperatures normally remain between 40˚F (4˚C) and 100˚F
(38˚C).
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
IMPORTANT!
This equipment should be installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72. National
Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
Additional local building and regulatory
codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance requirements before beginning any installation.
NFPA Standard 72 Section 2-2.1.1.1
2-2.1.1.1 Smoke alarms shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the
bedrooms and on each additional story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl spaces and
unfinished attics. In new construction a smoke alarm shall also be installed in each sleeping room. Chapter 2 also reads
as follows: 2-2.2.1: In new construction, where more than one smoke alarm is required by 2-2.1, alarms shall be so
arranged that operation of any one alarm shall cause the operation of all alarms within the dwelling.
A-2.5.2.1 Smoke Detection-Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number of smoke alarms might not
provide reliable early warning protection for those areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required
smoke alarms. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional smoke alarms 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 alarms. The installation of smoke alarms in kitchens,
attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experience
conditions that can result in improper operation.
California State Fire Marshall
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the
household as follows: A smoke alarm installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bedrooms), and
heat or smoke alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, finished attics, furnace rooms,
closets, utility and storage rooms, basements, and attached garages.
WHERE NOT TO INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS
For best performance, do not install the unit:
• Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles form when something burns. Areas to
avoid include poorly ventilated kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet (6 meters)
from the sources of combustion particles (stove, furnace, water heater, space heater) if possible. Ventilate
these areas as much as possible.
• In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke into the sensing chamber of a
smoke alarm near the kitchen.
• In very damp, humid or steamy areas, or directly near bathrooms with showers. Keep units at least
10 feet (3 meters) away from showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc.
• Where the temperatures are regularly below 40˚F (4˚C) and over 100˚ F (38˚C), including unheated buildings,
outdoor rooms, porches, or unfinished attics or basements.
• In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a smoke alarm directly over the stove or range.
Clean a laundry room unit frequently to keep it free of dust or lint.
• Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can blow smoke away from the unit,
preventing it from reaching the sensing chamber.
• In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing chamber and cause unwanted alarms.
• Less than 12 inches (305mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.
• In “dead air” spaces (see “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces” below).
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the smoke alarm. To avoid dead air spaces,
follow the installation recommendations below.
On ceilings,
install smoke alarms as close to the center of the ceiling as possible. If this is not possible, install the
smoke alarm at least 4 inches (102mm) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting
(if allowed by building codes), the top edge of smoke alarms should be placed between
4 inches (102mm) and 12 inches (305mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling,
install the first smoke alarm within three feet (0.9m) of the peak of the
ceiling, measured horizontally. Additional smoke alarms may be required depending on the length, angle, etc.
of the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for details on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
HALL
LIVING ROOM KITCHEN
FINISHED BASEMENT
REQUIRED TO MEET
NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM
DINING ROOM
MULTI-STORY RESIDENCE
SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT,
MOBILE HOME
KEY:
EXISTING HOMES
SMOKE ALARMS WITH SILENCE
FEATURES RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
INTERCONNECTED AC OR
AC/DC SMOKE ALARMS
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
HALL
LIVING ROOM KITCHEN
FINISHED BASEMENT
REQUIRED TO MEET
NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM
DINING ROOM
MULTI-STORY RESIDENCE
SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT,
MOBILE HOME
KEY:
NEW CONSTRUCTION
SMOKE ALARMS WITH SILENCE
FEATURES RECOMMENDED FOR
ADDITIONAL PROTECTION
KITCHEN
FOR PEAKED CEILINGS
(i.e. Cathedral ceilings, A-frames)
Install first smoke alarm
in this target area
If required, install additional
smoke alarms along the slope.
3 ft
0.9 m
FOR SLOPED CEILINGS
(i.e. great rooms, dormers, condominiums )
Install first smoke alarm
in this target area
If required, install additional
smoke alarms along the slope.
AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES
FOR STANDARD FLAT CEILINGS
Best Location (center of ceiling)
Acceptable Location
Dead Air Spaces (4" or 102 mm)
Do not install smoke alarm
lower than 12" (305mm)
from the wall/ceiling line
3 ft
0.9 m