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RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS
FOR SMOKE ALARMS
Installing Smoke Alarms in Single-Family Residences
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends 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 cover-
age, it is recommended that you install a Smoke Alarm in all rooms, halls,
s
t
orage areas, finished attics, and basements, where temperatures normally
r
e
main 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.
M
ore specifi
ca
l
ly, install Smoke Alarms:
• On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements.
•
I
nsid
e e
v
e
r
y bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly or
com
pletely closed.
• In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping
ar
eas
, install a unit in each. If a hall is more than 40 feet (12 meters) long,
i
ns
t
a
ll a unit at each end.
• At the top of the first-to-second floor stairway, and at the bottom of
the basement stairway.
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.
It is recommended AC or AC/DC units be
interconnected for added protection.
I
NSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES & RVS
For minimum security install one Smoke Alarm as close to each sleeping area
as possi
ble. 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
i
nsulation, it is important to install units on inside walls only. Smoke Alarms
should be installed where temperatures normally remain between 40˚ F (4˚ C)
a
nd 100˚ F (38˚ C).
W
ARNING: Test units used in RVs after the vehicle has
been i
n storage, before every trip, and once a week while in use. Failure
to test units used in RVs as described may remove your protection.
T
h
is equipment should be installed in accordance with NFPA (National Fire
P
rotection Association) 72 and
1
01. National Fire Protection Association,
One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Additional local building
and reg
ulatory codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance
req
uirements before beginning any installation. This model is not RV listed
with Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
NFPA 72 (National Fire Code)
Smoke Alarms shall be installed in each separate sleeping room, outside each
sle
eping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional
s
tory of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl spaces
and unfinished attics.
In new construction, Alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one
Alarm sha
ll cause the operation of all Alarms within the dwelling.
Sm
oke Detection-Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable?
T
he required number
o
f 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 o
f additional Smoke Alarms for those areas for increased protection.The
additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room,
ut
ility room, and hallways not protected by the required Smoke Alarms.
The installation of Smoke Alarms in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished),
or gar
ages is not normally recommended, as these locations occasionally
experience conditions t
hat can result in improper operation.
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection
equipmen
t 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.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS
For best performance, AVOID installing Smoke Alarms in these areas:
• 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. In areas where a 20-foot (6 meter) distance is not
possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller homes, for example – it is
recommended the Smoke Alarm be placed as far from these fuel-burning
sources as possible. The placement recommendations are intended to
keep these Alarms at a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source,
and thus reduce “unwanted” alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if a
Smoke Alarm is placed directly next to a fuel-burning source. 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) or above
1
00˚ F (3
8˚ C) i
ncl
ud
ing 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 sensing chamber.
• In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing
cha
m
be
r a
nd ca
use u
n
wanted alarms.
•
L
e
ss t
ha
n
1
2 inches (305 mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical
“noise” can interfere with the sensor.
• In “dead air” spaces. “Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from
reaching the Smoke Alarm.
AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm. To
avoid dead air spaces, follow the installation recommendations below.
O
n cei
lings,
i
ns
tall 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
(1
02 mm) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Smoke
Alarms shou
ld be p
lace
d be
tw
een 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm)
from the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install the first Smoke Alarm
within 3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured horizontally.
Additional Smoke Alarms may be required depending on the length, angle,
e
tc. of the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for details on requirements for
sloped or peaked ceilings.
“LATCHING ALARM” INDICATOR
IF YOU SUSPECT A PROBLEM
Smoke Alarms may not operate properly because of dead, missing or weak
b
atteries, a build-up of dirt, dust or grease on the Smoke Alarm cover, or
i
nstallation in an improper location. Clean the Smoke Alarm as described in
“Regular Maintenance,” and install a fresh battery, then test the Smoke Alarm
aga
in. If it fails to test properly when you use the Test/Silence button, or if the
problem persists, replace the Smoke Alarm immediately.
• If you hear a “chirp” once a minute, replace the battery.
• If you experience frequent non-emergency alarms (like those caused
b
y cooking smoke), try relocating the Smoke Alarm.
• If the alarm sounds when no smoke is visible, try cleaning or
rel
ocating the Smoke Alarm.The cover may be dirty.
• If the alarm does not sound during testing, make sure it is receiving
AC power from the household current.
Always discharge the branch circuit before servicing an AC or AC/DC
Smoke Alarm. First, turn off the AC power at the circuit breaker or fuse
box. Next, remove the battery from Smoke Alarms with battery back-up.
Finally, press and hold the test button for 5-10 seconds to discharge the
branch circuit.
If the Smoke Alarm is still not operating properly, and it is still under warranty,
please see “How to Obtain Warranty Service” in the Limited Warranty.
Do not try fixing the alarm yourself – this will void your warranty!
GARAGE
BEDROOM
B
EDROOM
HALL
L
IVING ROOM
KITCHEN
BASEMENT
B
EDROOM
LATCHING ALARM:
Unit was exposed
t
o alarm levels of Smoke
LATCHING NOT ACTIVATED:
Unit was not exposed
to alarm levels of Smoke
KEY:
The Latching Alarm Indicator is automatically activated after an Alarm is
e
xposed to alarm levels of smoke. After smoke levels drop below alarm levels,
the green LED will be On for 2 seconds/Off for 2 seconds, repeatedly. This
feature helps emergency responders, investigators, or service technicians
id
entify which unit(s) in your home were exposed to alarm levels of smoke
after the condition has subsided. The Latching Alarm Indicator stays ON until
you reset it by pressing the Test/Silence button. The Latching Alarm Indicator
is a
lso reset when AC and DC power is removed from the Alarm.