PROPER INSTALLATION OF SMOKE DETECTORS
WHERE TO LOCATE
DETECTORS:
- Detectors
shall be located on every habitable level of a residence including basement,
first floor, second floor, third floor, etc., but excluding crawl spaces
and unfinished attics.
- Detectors
shall be installed in the vicinity of every separate sleeping area and
should be located between the sleeping area and other living areas such
as the kitchen, garage, basement or utility room.
- In
residences with only one sleeping area on one floor, a detector shall
be located in the hallway outside of the bedrooms as shown in figure 1.
- In
single floor residences with two separate sleeping areas, two detectors
are required, one located outside of each sleeping area as shown in figure
2.
- In
multi level residences, detectors shall be located outside of each sleeping
area and on every finished
level of the residence as shown in figure 3 and figure 4.
- Basement
level detectors shall be located at the bottom of the basement stairs
as shown in figure 3 and figure 4.
- Homes
constructed after January 1977 and equipped with a AC powered and/or interconnected
detectors shall be maintained in working order as installed.
- Homes
constructed after January 1993 and equipped with a detector inside of
each bedroom shall be maintained in working order as installed.
WHERE
NOT OT LOCATE DETECTOR:
·
Kitchen – smoke from cooking may cause nuisance alarms.
·
Bathroom – steam from shower may cause nuisance alarms.
·
Near forced air ducts used for heating and air conditioning. Air movement
may prevent smoke from reaching detectors.
·
Near furnaces of any type – air and dust movements and normal combustion
products may cause nuisance alarms
·
Near rotary ceiling fans.
·
The “Dead Air” space where the ceiling meets the wall as shown
in figure 5
·
The peak of an “A” frame type of ceiling. “Dead Air”
at the top may prevent smoke from reaching a detector.
Fire protection association standard #74-1984
Titled “Household Fire Warranty Equipment”
