Advertisement
up people sleeping in the bedroom. In such cases, the National
Fire Protection Association recommends that the alarms be
interconnected so that an alarm on any level of the residence
will sound an alarm loud enough to awaken sleepers in closed
bedrooms. This can be done by installing a fire-detection
system, by connecting alarms together, or by using radio
frequency transmitters and receivers.
All types of smoke alarm sensors have limitations. No
type of smoke alarm can sense every kind of fire every
time. In general, alarms may not always warn you about
fires caused by violent explosions, escaping gas, improper
storage of flammable materials, or arson.
NOTE: This alarm is not designed to replace
special-purpose fire detection and alarm systems necessary to
protect persons and property in non-residential buildings such as
warehouses, or other large industrial or commercial buildings. It
alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire-detection
systems designed to protect individuals in hotels and motels,
dormitories, hospitals, or other health and supervisory care and
retirement homes. Please refer to NFPA 101,The Life Safety
Code, and NFPA 72 for smoke alarm requirements for fire
protection in buildings not defined as "households."
Installing smoke alarms may make you eligible for lower
insurance rates, but smoke alarms are not a substitute for
insurance. Home owners and renters should continue to insure
their lives and property.
PLACEMENT OF SMOKE ALARMS
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).
For your information, the National Fire Protection
Association's Standard 72, reads as follows:
"Smoke detectors shall be installed outside of each separate
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 unfinished attics. In new
construction, a smoke detector shall be installed in each
sleeping room."
Where to Locate the Required Smoke Detectors in Existing
Construction. The major threat from fire in a family living unit is
at night when everyone is asleep. The principal threat to
persons in sleeping areas comes from fires in the remainder of
the unit; therefore, a smoke alarm(s) is best located between the
bedroom areas and the rest of the unit. In units with only one
bedroom area on one floor, the smoke alarms should be located
as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1:
A SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE LOCATED BETWEEN
THE SLEEPING AREA AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY LIVING
UNIT.
In family living units with more than one bedroom area or with
bedrooms on more than one floor, more than one smoke
alarm will be needed, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2:
IN FAMILY LIVING UNITS WITH MORE THAN ONE
SLEEPING AREA, A SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE PROVIDED
TO PROTECT EACH SLEEPING AREA IN ADDITION TO
ALARMS REQUIRED IN BEDROOMS.
In addition to smoke alarms outside of the sleeping areas,
NFPA 72 requires the installation of a smoke alarm on each
additional story of the family living unit, including the
basement. These installations are shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: A SMOKE ALARM SHOULD BE LOCATED
ON EACH STORY.
The living area smoke alarms should be installed in the living
room or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both
locations. The basement smoke alarm should be installed in
close proximity to the stairway leading to the floor above.
When installed on an open joisted ceiling, the alarm should be
placed on the bottom of the joists. The 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.
Where to Locate the Required Smoke Alarms in New
Construction. All of the smoke alarms specified for existing
construction are required, and, in addition, a smoke alarm is
required in each bedroom.
Are More Smoke Detectors Desirable? The required
number of smoke alarms 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: 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, as
these locations occasionally experience conditions that can
result in improper operation.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
We recommend replacing your alarm(s) every ten (10) years;
why:
Ÿ Dust, dirt, and other environmental contaminants can affect
your alarm over a prolonged period.
Ÿ Fast changing industry consensus standards and codes on
all alarms make it advisable to periodically upgrade your
alarm to maximize life safety.
Ÿ Assurance that your smoke alarm needs are kept abreast
with the constantly improving electronic technology.
Ÿ 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.
Pg. 7-3
Advertisement
