Avoid near fresh air vents, ceiling fans or very drafty areas (drafts can blow the smoke away from the detector/alarm). Avoid installing closer than 4 inches from the wall or corners. Avoid installing closer than 12 inches from fluorescent lights.
Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation. Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms.
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 in any new construction home.
Home Smoke Detectors
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing at least one home smoke detector on every level of your home (including your basement and attic), inside every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area.
Don't install alarms where air movement can delay the alarm. This means they should be away from windows and at least 3 feet from warm or cold air ducts or return ducts. Also, don't install them between an air return and a bedroom door.
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the California Building Code, at least one smoke detector needs to be placed in each of the following areas of your home: On Every Floor Level. In Every Bedroom. In Every Hallway Outside of a Bedroom.
The International Mechanical Code requires a duct smoke detector in the return for units over 2000 cfm and requires a detector in the supply duct for systems over 15,000 cfm.
At least 10 feet away from cooking appliances
You can't always move these devices, but you will want to keep smoke alarms at least 10 feet away to help cut down on false alarms. The steam and grease from kitchen work can clog smoke detector sensors so they don't work as well.
Install a least one on every level of the home, including the basement. Place a smoke detector in every sleeping area. Ensure a smoke alarm is outside of every room, like in a hallway.
5.6. 5.1 of NFPA 72-2010 says you need to have smoke detection within 5 feet of the door. If the wall section above the door (sometimes called a 'transom') is greater than 24 inches, then you need a smoke detector on both sides of the door.
According to the NFPA, smoke alarms should be placed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. In addition, industry experts recommend having both photoelectric and ionization alarms for optimal protection against flaming and smoldering fires.
Where do I install them? In addition to the minimum requirement of one smoke alarm per level, Fire and Rescue NSW research recommends installing smoke alarms in all bedrooms and living spaces (including hallways and stairways) and even the garage. Avoid fitting smoke alarms in or near your kitchen or bathroom.
Have smoke alarms on every level of your home and in each bedroom and hallway. If you mount alarms on the ceiling, place them 4 inches from the wall. If your alarms are on the wall, they should be 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. Don't install alarms near windows, vents, or drafty areas.
(a) Every dwelling unit or hotel shall be equipped with at least one approved smoke detector in an operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes.
The best location to install your smoke alarm is in the centre of the ceiling rather than on the wall. During a fire, smoke initially rises and then spreads horizontally. Placing the smoke alarm in the centre of your ceiling means that it is closest to all four points of your room.
Install alarms within 300 mm (12”) of light fittings or room corners. Install smoke alarms in wall positions that are less than 100 mm (4”) or more than 300 mm (12”) away from the ceiling. Locate the Thermoptek smoke alarm close to bathrooms or showers as it can be susceptible to nuisance alarms from steam.
Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms, per manufacturer's specifications. Locate smoke alarms away from air vents or registers, and avoid other spaces with high airflow.
Avoid kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet (6 meters) away from common sources of combustion particles. In small homes, where 20-foot distance is not possible, place the alarm as far away from fuel-burning sources as possible. Keep the area ventilated to prevent unwanted alarms.
Place smoke detectors at least 3 feet from ceiling fans. There are two basic types of smoke detectors: 1. Ionization detectors - Ionization detectors contain radioactive material that ionizes the air, making an electrical path.
Avoid near fresh air vents, ceiling fans or very drafty areas (drafts can blow the smoke away from the detector/alarm). Avoid installing closer than 4 inches from the wall or corners. Avoid installing closer than 12 inches from fluorescent lights.
ACalifornia law requires that every ”dwelling intended for human occupancy” have smoke alarms. (Cal. Health and Safety Code section 13113.7).
In Bedrooms: Each bedroom should have its own detector to ensure that sleeping occupants can hear the fire alarm and respond quickly. Outside Sleeping Areas: Install detectors in hallways or common areas adjacent to bedrooms.
Install smoke alarms inside and outside every bedroom and sleeping area (like a hallway). Install on every level of the home, including the basement. A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce nuisance, or false, alarms.
The key standards listing in the NFPA 90A specify that duct detectors shall be located as follows: Downstream of the air filters and ahead of any branch connections in air supply systems having a capacity greater than 2,000 cfm (6.4. 2.1).