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AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
NFPA 72 Chapter 29
"For your information, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code,
NFPA 72, reads as follows:"
29.5.1* Required Detection.
29.5.1.1* Where required by other governing 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 21 ft
(6.4 m) of any door to a sleeping room, with the distance measured
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)
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire
detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as
follows: A Smoke Alarm installed in each separate sleeping area (in the
vicinity, but outside bedrooms), and Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living
rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, finished attics,
furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements, and
attached garages.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS
For best performance, it is recommended you AVOID installing
Smoke Alarms in these areas:
•
Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles
form when something burns. Areas to avoid include poorly ventilated
kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet
(6 meters) from the sources of combustion particles (stove, furnace,
water heater, space heater) if possible. In areas where a 20-foot
(6-meter) distance is not possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller
homes, for example – it is recommended the Smoke Alarm be
placed as far from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The
placement recommendations are intended to keep these Alarms at
a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source, and thus reduce
"unwanted" alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if a Smoke Alarm
is placed directly next to a fuel-burning source. Ventilate these
areas as much as possible.
•
In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke
into the sensing chamber of a Smoke Alarm near the kitchen.
•
In very damp, humid or steamy areas, or directly near bathrooms
with showers. Keep units at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from
showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc.
•
Where the temperatures are regularly below 40˚ F (4.4˚ C) or above
100˚ F (37.8˚ C), including unheated buildings, outdoor rooms,
porches, or unfinished attics or basements.
•
In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a Smoke Alarm
directly over the stove or range. Keep laundry room Smoke Alarms
free of dust or lint.
•
Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can
blow smoke away from the unit, preventing it from reaching the
sensing chamber.
•
In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing
chamber and cause unwanted alarms.
•
Less than 12 inches (305mm) away from fluorescent lights.
Electrical "noise" can interfere with the sensor.
•
In "dead air" spaces. "Dead air" spaces may prevent smoke from
reaching the Smoke Alarm.
Avoiding Dead Air Spaces
"Dead air" spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm.
To avoid dead air spaces, follow the installation recommendations
below.
On ceilings, install Smoke Alarms as close to the center of the ceiling
as possible. If this is not possible, install the Smoke Alarm at least 4
inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of
Smoke Alarms should be placed between 4 and 12 inches (102 and
305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below typical "dead air" spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install the first Smoke
Alarm within 3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured
horizontally. Additional Smoke Alarms may be required depending
on the length, angle, etc. of the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for
details on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery (DC) operated Smoke Alarms: Provide protection even when
electricity fails, provided the batteries are fresh and correctly installed.
Units are easy to install, and do not require professional installation.
AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit
senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails.
AC with battery (DC) back-up: will operate if electricity fails, provided
the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units
must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Smoke Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup
power systems: AC powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated
with true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating this Smoke Alarm with
most battery-powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or
square wave or "quasi sine wave" inverters will damage the Alarm.
If you are not sure about your inverter or UPS type, please consult with
the manufacturer to verify.
Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke
Alarms should be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a
visual alarm and an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of
the Americans With Disabilities Act. Can be interconnected so if one
unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless the
combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if
located, installed and cared for as described in the user's manual, and
if smoke reaches them. If you are unsure which type of Smoke Alarm
to install, refer to Chapter 2 of the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) Standard 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) and
NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code).
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