Guidelines For Locating Smoke Detectors - DSC PC1550 Installation Manual

Guidelines for Locating Smoke Detectors

Experience has shown that all hostile fires in family living units
generate smoke to a greater or lesser extent. Experiments using
typical fires in family living units indicate that detectable quantities
of smoke precede detectable levels of heat in most cases. For these
reasons, smoke detectors should be installed outside of each
sleeping area and on each additional story of the family unit.
The following information is for general guidance only and it is
recommended that the smoke detector manufacturer's literature be
used for detailed installation instructions.
It is recommended that additional smoke detectors beyond those
required be installed for increased protection. The added areas
include: basement, bedrooms, dining rooms, furnace room, utility
room and hallways not protected by the required detectors.
Bedroom
Kitchen
FIG. 1: A smoke detector should be located between the FIG. 1: A smoke detector should be located between the
FIG. 1: A smoke detector should be located between the FIG. 1: A smoke detector should be located between the FIG. 1: A smoke detector should be located between the
sleeping area and the rest of the family unit. sleeping area and the rest of the family unit.
sleeping area and the rest of the family unit. sleeping area and the rest of the family unit. sleeping area and the rest of the family unit.
Bedroom Kitchen
Living
Room
Bedroom
FIG. 2: In the family living units with more than one sleeping FIG. 2: In the family living units with more than one sleeping
FIG. 2: In the family living units with more than one sleeping FIG. 2: In the family living units with more than one sleeping FIG. 2: In the family living units with more than one sleeping
area, a smoke detector should be located to protect each area, a smoke detector should be located to protect each
area, a smoke detector should be located to protect each area, a smoke detector should be located to protect each area, a smoke detector should be located to protect each
sleeping area. sleeping area. sleeping area. sleeping area. sleeping area.
4
Bedroom
Bedroom
Living Room
Dining
Room
Family Room
Bedroom
Bedroom
Living
Room
Basement
FIG. 3: A smoke detector should be located on each story of FIG. 3: A smoke detector should be located on each story of FIG. 3: A smoke detector should be located on each story of FIG. 3: A smoke detector should be located on each story of FIG. 3: A smoke detector should be located on each story of
the living unit. the living unit. the living unit. the living unit. the living unit.
Ceiling
Acceptable
here
NEVER
HERE
Top of detector
acceptable here
NOTE: Measurements shown are to
the closest edge of the detector.
FIG. 4: Smoke Detector mounting - "Dead" Air Space. The FIG. 4: Smoke Detector mounting - "Dead" Air Space. The
FIG. 4: Smoke Detector mounting - "Dead" Air Space. The FIG. 4: Smoke Detector mounting - "Dead" Air Space. The FIG. 4: Smoke Detector mounting - "Dead" Air Space. The
smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling, spreads out smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling, spreads out
smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling, spreads out smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling, spreads out smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling, spreads out
across the ceiling surface and begins to bank down from the across the ceiling surface and begins to bank down from the across the ceiling surface and begins to bank down from the
across the ceiling surface and begins to bank down from the across the ceiling surface and begins to bank down from the
ceiling. The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an air ceiling. The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an air ceiling. The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an air
ceiling. The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an air ceiling. The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an air
space into which the smoke may have difficulty penetrating. In space into which the smoke may have difficulty penetrating. In
space into which the smoke may have difficulty penetrating. In space into which the smoke may have difficulty penetrating. In space into which the smoke may have difficulty penetrating. In
most fires, this "dead" air space measures about 4 in. (0.1m) most fires, this "dead" air space measures about 4 in. (0.1m)
most fires, this "dead" air space measures about 4 in. (0.1m) most fires, this "dead" air space measures about 4 in. (0.1m) most fires, this "dead" air space measures about 4 in. (0.1m)
along the ceiling from the corner and about 4 in. (0.1m) down the along the ceiling from the corner and about 4 in. (0.1m) down the
along the ceiling from the corner and about 4 in. (0.1m) down the along the ceiling from the corner and about 4 in. (0.1m) down the along the ceiling from the corner and about 4 in. (0.1m) down the
wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors should not be placed in the wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors should not be placed in the
wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors should not be placed in the wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors should not be placed in the wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors should not be placed in the
dead" air space. dead" air space.
dead" air space. dead" air space. dead" air space.
Bedroom
Dining
Room
4"
(0.1m)
4"
(0.1m)
Max.
12"
(0.3m)
Max.
Wall