Smaoke Alarm Placement

[bphgravity]

I have a question regarding smoke alarm placement in single family homes. Most smoke alarm manufacturers suggest installing the smokes in the hallway just outside of the bedrooms. On many houses in our area, these hallways are usually 7' ceilings and very small, no more than a few feet long. The hall typically leads to the living area which usually has a much higher ceiling, up to 15' in some cases.

At this point, we have been inclined to accept placement of the smoke alarm in either the hallway or just outside the hallway in the high part of the ceiling. I discussed this with our fire marshall who was under the opinion that a fire in some area of the house would be more likely detected earlier in the high portion of the ceiling verses the low hallway area.

Based on this, where do you feel the best location for this smoke to be? The hallway area or the higher living area outside of the hallway?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Smaoke Alarm Placement

Bryan,
There is no good answer for that. It depends on where the fire originates. Assuming that the fire does not originate in the hall or bedroom the living area is the best choice.
Don

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Smaoke Alarm Placement

Thanks Don,

That's kindof how we are looking at the situation. We are leaving it up to the builder/contactor to make te ultimate decision as to where they wish to have the alarm placed. I feel we should have a more solid idea for the purpose of consistency, and to limit the possibility of someone complaining that we enforce some things word for word and other things much more liberally.

It seems to me that it is much less likely for a fire to start in the small hallway verses somewhere out in the living area or kitchen, but the manufacturer's instructions are pretty clear. In some case, the smoke in the bedrrom is only a foot or 2 from the one out in the hall. it doesn't seem to be an effective placement.

 

[kurt b]

Re: Smaoke Alarm Placement

I was under the impression that smokes were to be placed in hallway near entrances to bedrooms.
Normally, most bedroom entrances are usually near each other with some exceptions, so only one is needed. They are then to be placed just inside bedroom entrances. I would imagine that most fires would be more likely to start in one of the bedrooms rather than in any other room, and possibly go unnoticed. With the smokes located in these places and signal wire connected to all smokes, they would be more likely to warn people who might be sleeping. But what do I know, I'm just an electrician!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Re: Smaoke Alarm Placement

kurt,
Many sleep with the bedroom door closed, so if a fire originates in the bedroom, you need a smoke in the bedroom as well as the area outside of the bedroom. If the bedroom door is closed and the only smoke is in the hall, it is very unlikely that it will alarm in time to save the bedroom occupant.
Don