Locating Detectors And Escape Plan; Smoke Detectors; Fire Escape Planning - DSC Neo HS2016 User Manual

Chapter 15

15.0 Locating Detectors and Escape Plan

The following information is for general guidance only and it is recommended that local fire codes and regulations be consulted
when locating and installing smoke and CO alarms.

15.1 Smoke Detectors

Research has shown that all hostile fires in homes generate smoke to a greater or lesser extent. Experiments with typical fires in
homes indicate that detectable quantities of smoke precede detectable levels of heat in most cases. For these reasons, smoke alarms
should be installed outside of each sleeping area and on each storey of the home.
The following information is for general guidance only and it is recommended that local fire codes and regulations be consulted
when locating and installing smoke alarms.
It is recommended that additional smoke alarms beyond those required for minimum protection be installed. Additional areas that
should be protected include: the basement; bedrooms, especially where smokers sleep; dining rooms; furnace and utility rooms; and
any hallways not protected by the required units. On smooth ceilings, detectors may be spaced 9.1m (30 feet) apart as a guide.
Other spacing may be required depending on ceiling height, air movement, the presence of joists, uninsulated ceilings, etc. Consult
National Fire Alarm Code NFPA 72, CAN/ULC-S553-02 or other appropriate national standards for installation recommendations.
Do not locate smoke detectors at the top of peaked or gabled ceilings; the dead air space in these locations may prevent
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the unit from detecting smoke.
Avoid areas with turbulent air flow, such as near doors, fans or windows. Rapid air movement around the detector may
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prevent smoke from entering the unit.
Do not locate detectors in areas of high humidity.
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Do not locate detectors in areas where the temperature rises above 38ºC (100ºF) or falls below 5ºC (41ºF).
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Smoke detectors should always be installed in USA in accordance with Chapter 11 of NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm
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Code: 11.5.1.1.
Where required by applicable laws, codes, or standards for a specific type of occupancy, approved single- and multiple-station
smoke alarms shall be installed as follows:
1. In all sleeping rooms and guest rooms.
2. Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within 6.4 m (21 ft) of any door to a sleeping room, the distance meas-
ured along a path of travel.
3. On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements.
4. On every level of a residential board and care occupancy (small facility), including basements and excluding crawl spaces
and unfinished attics.
5. In the living area(s) of a guest suite.
6. In the living area(s) of a residential board and care occupancy (small facility).
Figure 1
Figure 3a

15.2 Fire Escape Planning

There is often very little time between the detection of a fire and the time it becomes deadly. It is thus very important that a family
escape plan be developed and rehearsed.
1. Every family member should participate in developing the escape plan.
2. Study the possible escape routes from each location within the house. Since many fires occur at night, special attention should
be given to the escape routes from sleeping quarters.
Figure 3
Figure 2
Figure 4
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