Proper Placement Of Your Smoke Alarm - Code one G Owner's Manual

110-570H English 11/8/06 11:05 AM
part of the home, on another level, in a chimney, wall,
roof, or on the other side of a closed door, smoke may
not reach the smoke alarm in time to alert household
members. A smoke alarm will not promptly detect a fire
EXCEPT in the area or room in which it is installed.
• Interconnected smoke alarms installed in every room and
on every level of the household offer maximum protection.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends
interconnecting smoke alarms so that when one smoke
alarm senses smoke and sounds its alarm, all others will
sound as well. Do not interconnect smoke alarms from
one individual family living unit to another. Do not
connect this smoke alarm to any other type of alarm or
auxiliary device.
• Smoke alarms may not alert every household member
every time. There may be limiting circumstances where a
household member may not hear the alarm (e.g., outdoor
or indoor noise, sound sleepers, drug or alcohol usage, the
hard of hearing, etc.). If you suspect that this smoke alarm
may not alert a household member, install and maintain
specialty smoke alarms. Current studies have shown
smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping individuals,
and that it is the responsibility of individuals in the house-
hold that are capable of assisting others to provide assis-
tance to those who may not be awakened by the alarm
sound, or to those who may be incapable of safely evacu-
ating the area unassisted.
• Smoke alarms can only sound their alarms when they
detect smoke. Smoke alarms detect combustion particles
in the air. They do not sense heat, flame, or gas. This
smoke alarm is designed to give audible warning of a devel-
oping fire. However, many fires are fast-burning, explosive,
or intentional. Others are caused by carelessness or safety
hazards. Smoke may not reach the smoke alarm QUICKLY
ENOUGH to ensure safe escape.
• Smoke alarms have limitations. This smoke alarm is not
foolproof and is not warranted to protect lives or property
from fire. Smoke alarms are not a substitute for insur-
ance. Homeowners and renters should insure their lives
and property. In addition, it is possible for the smoke
alarm to fail at any time. For this reason, you must test
the smoke alarm weekly and replace every 10 years.
• Smoke alarms must not be used with detector guards
unless the combination of alarm and guard has been eval-
uated and found suitable for that purpose.

Proper Placement of Your Smoke Alarm

Code One Safety recommends complete coverage protection
achieved by installing a smoke alarm in every room of your home.
THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION'S STANDARD 72
(National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA
02269).
The NFPA standard identifies the minimum requirement for locating
smoke alarms in family living units.
It states:
"2-2.1.1.1 Smoke alarms shall be installed outside of each sepa-
rate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on
each additional story of the family living unit including basements
and excluding crawl spaces and unfurnished attics. In new construc-
tion a smoke alarm also shall be installed in each sleeping room."
Further, section 2-2.2.1 states that:
"In new construction, where more than one smoke alarm is required
by 2-2.1, they shall be so arranged that operation of any smoke
alarm shall cause the alarm in all smoke alarms within the dwelling
to sound."
The NFPA, 1993 Edition, Appendix A, however, clearly points out
that:
"The required number of smoke alarms (as defined in the para-
graphs above) may 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, it is recommended that the
householder consider the use of additional smoke alarms for those
areas for increased protection. The additional areas include: base-
ment, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hall-
ways not protected by the required smoke alarms."
Further, the California State Fire Marshal states that the minimum
number of required smoke alarms is not enough to give the earliest
warning under all conditions. The California State Fire Marshal
states that:
"Early warning fire 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 the bedrooms), and heat or smoke alarms in
the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, attics,
furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements and
attached garages."
It is clear that the earliest warning of a developing fire is best
achieved by the installation of smoke alarms in all rooms and areas
of the residence. Accordingly, Code One Safety recommends that
you install smoke alarms in every room of your residence (including
basements and attics) even though this is not required by the typical
code or standard.
In addition, we recommend that you interconnect all smoke alarms
capable of being interconnected.
Code One Safety recommends a minimum of two smoke alarms in
every home, no matter how small the home (including efficiency
apartments). Code One Safety also recommends maximum cover-
age by installing smoke alarms in both required and recommended
locations as illustrated and described hereafter.
2
Page 2