BEST LOCATION
ACCEPTABLE
LOCATION
CEILING
4in
(10cm)
CENTER OF
CEILING
NEVER
HERE
4in
(10cm)
Minimum
6in(15cm)
Maximum
Figure 4: Recommended best and acceptable locations to mount
smoke detectors
DETECTOR
9 FEET
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE
FROM PEAK
Figure 5: recommended locations to mount smoke detectors in
rooms with sloped, gabled, or peaked ceiling
CAUTION (As required by the California State Fire Marshall)
as follows: (1) A smoke detector installed in each separate sleeping
area (in the vicinity, but outside of the bedrooms), and (2) Heat
or smoke detectors in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms,
kitchens, hallways, attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and, storage
rooms, basements and attached garages.”
For your information, NFPA Standard 74, Section 2-4 reads as
follows:
“2-4.1.1 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
The provisions of 2-4.1.1 represent the minimum number of
detectors required by this standard. It is recommended that the
householder considers the use of additional smoke detectors for
increased protection for those areas separated by a door from the
areas protected by the required smoke detectors under 2-4.1.1
above. The recommended additional areas are living room, dining
rooms, utility room, basement, integral or attached garage, and
hallways not included in 2-4.1.1 above. However, the use of
additional detectors remains the option of the householder.” We
recommend complete coverage and use of additional smoke
detectors.
Locations not to Install Your Smoke
Detectors
Nuisance alarms take place when smoke detectors are installed
where they will not work properly. To avoid nuisance alarms, do not
install smoke detectors in the following situations:
Combustion particles are the by-products of something that is
burning. Thus, in or near areas where combustion particles are
present you do not install the smoke detectors to avoid nuisance
alarms, such as kitchens with few windows or poor ventilation,
garages where there may be vehicle exhaust, near furnaces, hot
water heaters, and space heaters.
Do not install smoke detectors less than 20 feet (6 meters) away
from places where combustion particles are normally present, like
kitchens. If a 20-foot distance is not possible, e.g. in a mobile home,
try to install the detector as far away from the combustion particles
as possible, preferably on the wall. To prevent nuisance alarms,
provide good ventilation in such places.
IMPORTANT: For any reason, do not disable the detector to avoid nuisance
alarms.
When air streams passing by kitchens, the way how a detector can sense
which indicates the correct and incorrect smoke detector locations concerning
this problem.
BEDROOM
AIR ENTRY
STOVE
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM
CORRECT LOCATION
INCORRECT LOCATION
BATH
Figure 6: recommended smoke detector locations to avoid air
streams with combustion particles
In damp or very humid areas, or near bathrooms with showers.
Moisture in humid air can enter the sensing chamber, then turns
into droplets upon cooling, which can cause nuisance alarms. Install
smoke detectors at least 3 meters away from bathrooms.
In very cold or very hot areas, including unheated buildings or
outdoor rooms. If the temperature goes above or below the
operating range of smoke detector, it will not work properly. The
operating temperature range for your smoke detector is
4 C to 38 C.
In very dusty or dirty areas, dirt and dust can build up on the
detector’s sensing chamber, to make it over sensitive. Additionally,
dust or dirt can block openings to the sensing chamber and
keep the detector near fresh air vents or very drafty areas like air
conditioners, heaters or fans, fresh air vents and drafts can drive
smoke away from smoke detectors.
Dead air spaces are often at the top of a peaked roof, or in the
corners between ceilings and walls. Dead air may prevent smoke
from reaching a detector. See Figures 4 and 5 for recommended
mounting locations.
In insect-infested areas. If insects enter a detector’s sensing chamber,
they may cause a nuisance alarm. Where bugs are a problem, get
rid of them before putting up a detector.
cause nuisance alarms. Install smoke detectors at least 1.5
meters from such lights.
WARNING: Never remove batteries to stop a nuisance alarm. Open a window
or fan the air around the detector to get rid of the smoke. The alarm will turn
itself off when the smoke is gone. If nuisance alarms persist, attempt to clean
the detector as described in this User’s Manual.
WARNING: Do not stand close to the detector when the alarm is sounding.
The alarm is loud in order to wake you in an emergency. Too much exposure
to the horn at close range may be harmful to your hearing.
