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RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR SMOKE DETECTORS
To minimize the risk of fire causing injury, loss of life, or loss of property, detectors should be
located on every level of a residence – basements, first floor, second-floor, and attic, if it is
furnished – and in every separate sleeping area. More specifically, detectors should be located:
1. Between sleeping areas and potential sources of fire such as kitchen, garage, basement, or
utility room. In homes with only one sleeping area on one floor, a detector should be put in
the hallway outside the bedrooms as shown below. In single-floor homes with two separate
sleeping areas, two detectors are required, one outside each bedroom area as shown
below. In multi-level homes, detectors should be located in bedroom areas and at every
finished level of the home as shown below. Basement-level detector should be located in
the bottom of basement stairwells. Second-floor detector should be located at the top of the
first-to-second-floor stairwell so long as no door or other obstruction blocks the path of
smoke.
2. Inside every bedroom where a smoker sleeps or an electrical appliance is operated. This
detector should be in addition to the hallway detectors as described above.
3. Inside all bedrooms where people sleep with the door closed. Smoke and poisonous
combustion gases are significantly blocked by a closed door. This detector should be in
addition to the hallway detectors described above.
4. At each end of a hallway serving the bedrooms if the hallway is in excess of 40 feet (12m) in
length.
In addition to the above, we also strongly recommend the following:
Install smoke detectors in any room where an alarm control is located, or in any room where
alarm control connections to an AC source or phone lines are made. If detectors are not so
located, a fire within the room could prevent the control from reporting a fire or an intrusion.
Where Not to Locate Detectors
To avoid false alarms and/or improper operation, avoid installation of smoke detectors in the
following areas:
• KITCHENS - Smoke from cooking may cause a nuisance alarm. LOCATE DETECTORS AT
LEAST 20 FEET (6m) FROM KITCHENS, IF POSSIBLE.
• IN AIRSTREAMS PASSING BY KITCHENS - Smoke from cooking may enter normal air
movement paths between outlets and returns if these paths run by kitchens, causing a
nuisance alarm. LOCATE DETECTORS AWAY FROM SUCH AIRSTREAMS, IF POSSIBLE.
• BATHROOMS - Excessive steam from a shower may cause a nuisance alarm. LOCATE
DETECTORS AT LEAST 10 FEET (3m) FROM BATHROOMS, IF POSSIBLE.
• NEAR FORCED-AIR DUCTS used for heating or air conditioning - Air movement may prevent
smoke from reaching the detector.
• NEAR FLUORESCENT LIGHT FIXTURES - "Noise" generated by these fixtures may cause a
nuisance alarm.
• NEAR FURNACES OF ANY TYPE - Air and dust movement and normal combustion products
may cause a nuisance alarm.
• THE PEAK OF AN "A" FRAME TYPE OF CEILING - "Dead air" at the top may prevent smoke
from reaching the detector.
• GARAGES - Products of combustion are present from running automobile engines and may
cause a nuisance alarm.
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• UNHEATED BUILDINGS - Temperature limits are 40°–100°F (5°–38°C). The detector will not
function properly in locations where the normal ambient temperature exceeds these limits.
• INSECT INFESTED AREAS - Insects entering the sensing chamber may cause a nuisance
alarm.
IF YOU EXPERIENCE NUISANCE ALARMS, CAREFULLY CHECK YOUR DETECTOR'S
LOCATION FOR POSSIBLE CAUSES AS LISTED ABOVE. RELOCATE AND CLEAN YOUR
DETECTOR, IF NECESSARY. REMEMBER THAT THE MAJOR CAUSES OF NUISANCE
ALARMS ARE DIRTY OR IMPROPERLY LOCATED DETECTORS.
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
DINING
BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM
TO
BEDROOM
BEDROOM
BR
KTCHN
.
LVNG RM
BASEMENT
KITCHEN
BDRM
DINING
TV ROOM
BDRM
LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM
Smoke Detectors for Minimum Protection
Smoke Detectors for Additional Protection
Heat-Activated Detectors
GARAGE
CLOSED
DOOR
– 5 –
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