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29.5.1.3.1 All points on the ceiling shall have a smoke alarm within a distance of
9.1m (30ft) travel distance or shall have an equivalent of one smoke alarm per
46.5m
(500ft
) is evaluated by dividing the total interior square footage of floor
2
2
area per level by 46.5m
(500ft
).
2
2
29.5.1.3.2 Where dwelling units include great rooms or vaulted/cathedral ceilings
extending over multiple floors, smoke alarms located on the upper floor that are
intended to protect the aforementioned area shall be permitted to be considered
as part of the lower floor(s) protection scheme used to meet the requirements of
29.5.1.3.1.
The installation of additional alarms of either the smoke, heat or CO type
should result in a higher degree of protection. Adding alarms to rooms that are
normally closed off from the required alarms increases the escape time because
the fire does not need to build to the higher level necessary to force smoke out
of the closed room to the required alarms. As a consequence, it is recommend-
ed that the householder consider the installation of additional fire protection
devices.
However, it should be understood that NFPA 72 does not require additional
smoke alarms over and above those called for in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 4 where
required smoke alarms are shown.
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1: A SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE LOCATED ON EVERY LEVEL OF
DWELLING UNIT, INCLUDING BASEMENT, WITHIN EACH SLEEPING ROOM
AND OUTSIDE SLEEPING AREAS.
Where to Locate the Required Smoke Alarms. The major threat from fire in a
dwelling unit occurs at night when everyone is asleep. Persons in sleeping
areas can be threatened by fires in the remainder of the unit; therefore, smoke
alarms are best located in each bedroom and between the bedroom areas and
the rest of the unit as shown in FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2: A SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE LOCATED BETWEEN THE
SLEEPING AREA AND THE REST OF THE DWELLING UNIT AS WELL AS IN
EACH BEDROOM.
In dwelling units with more than one bedroom area or with bedrooms on more
than one floor, more than one smoke alarm is required, as shown in FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3: IN DWELLING UNITS WITH MORE THAN ONE SLEEPING AREA,
A SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO PROTECT EACH SLEEPING
AREA IN ADDITION TO SMOKE ALARMS REQUIRED IN BEDROOMS.
In addition to smoke alarms outside of the sleeping areas and in each bedroom,
NFPA 72 requires the installation of a smoke alarm on each additional level of the
dwelling unit, including the basement. These installations are shown in FIGURE 4.
The living area smoke alarm should be installed in the living room or near the stairway
to the upper lever, or in both locations. The basement smoke alarm should be installed
in close proximity to the stairway leading to the floor above. Where installed on an
open-joisted ceiling, the smoke alarm should be placed on the bottom of the joists.
The smoke alarm should be positioned relative to the stairway so as to intercept smoke
coming from a fire in the basement before the smoke enters the stairway.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4: A SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE LOCATED ON EACH LEVEL IN
ADDITION TO EACH BEDROOM.
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, the use of
additional smoke alarms for those areas for increased protection is recommended.
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, because these locations occasionally experience conditions that can
result in improper operation.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
NFPA 72, 2010 Edition, Chapter 29, Section 29.8.1.4(5)(b) states: "Smoke
alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall not remain in service
longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture." Smoke alarms should be
replaced for the following reasons:
Dust, dirt, and other environmental contaminants can affect your alarm over a
prolonged period.
Fast changing industry consensus standards and codes on all smoke alarms make
it advisable to periodically upgrade your smoke alarm to maximize life safety.
Assurance that your smoke alarm needs are kept abreast with the constantly
improving electronic technology.
Smoke alarms are recognized as one of the lowest cost ways to protect dwelling
inhabitants against the danger of fire(s). It makes good common sense to
periodically replace and update your smoke alarm that contributes so much to life
safety.
MOUNTING LOCATION
This smoke alarm can be mounted on a ceiling or wall with equal efficiency in either
location.
Ceiling location-smoke alarm should be mounted as close as possible to the
center of a hallway or room.
Wall location-locate the top of the smoke alarm not more than 12 inches from the
ceiling.
Figures 1, 2, 3, & 4 are reprinted with permission from NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code®, Copyright
©2002, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA 02169. This reprinted material is not the complete
and official position of the National Fire Protection Association on the referenced subject which is
represented only by the standard in its entirety. National Fire Alarm Code® and NFPA 72® are registered
trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association, Inc., Quincy, MA 02169.
550-0033
Page 9-3
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