Smoke detector placement

[JJWalecka]

I have a combination carbon monoxide detector and photoelectric detector. Does the photoelectric belong outside of the bedroom (kitchen area) and the combination to be installed in the bedroom. Or is it vise versa

Thanks

 

[865resi]

My electrical inspector does not care. Each city inspector has a different theory on safety.

 

[NTesla76]

I have a combination carbon monoxide detector and photoelectric detector. Does the photoelectric belong outside of the bedroom (kitchen area) and the combination to be installed in the bedroom. Or is it vise versa

Thanks

If there is fuel burning appliance, I'd probably put it in the closest vicinity of that appliance.

 

[ron]

Refer to the residential code adopted in your jurisdiction. The quote pasted below is from the 2021 IRC model code

 

[NPro85]

The photoelectric smoke detector is typically better suited for areas prone to slow-burning fires with smoldering smoke, such as hallways, living rooms, or near the kitchen (but not too close to avoid false alarms from cooking).

The combination carbon monoxide and smoke detector is best installed in or near bedrooms and areas where people sleep, since carbon monoxide is odorless and can be deadly while you're asleep. This placement ensures you're alerted quickly in case of any danger during the night.

In short: Photoelectric in kitchen area, combination in bedrooms.

 

[James L]

Inside the bedroom is smoke only
Outside the bedroom is smoke and carbon

 

[NPro85]

Got it! If the detector inside the bedroom is smoke-only, you’re good. Outside the bedroom, a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector is ideal since it can alert you to both fire and carbon monoxide threats near sleeping areas.

If you have a photoelectric smoke-only detector, place it outside the kitchen to avoid false alarms from cooking. For extra safety, having a combination detector outside bedrooms or in hallways is a smart move, as it covers more risks.

 

[gadfly56]

Got it! If the detector inside the bedroom is smoke-only, you’re good. Outside the bedroom, a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector is ideal since it can alert you to both fire and carbon monoxide threats near sleeping areas.

If you have a photoelectric smoke-only detector, place it outside the kitchen to avoid false alarms from cooking. For extra safety, having a combination detector outside bedrooms or in hallways is a smart move, as it covers more risks.

Combination photo/ionization alarms are hella expensive; a quick Google reveals $27 to $56, versus about $12 to $15 for a simple ionization smoke alarm.

 

[cashpoppper]

interconnection might make it interesting. don't use wireless. it's failed me trying to make a phone call.

 

[cashpoppper]

Combination photo/ionization alarms are hella expensive; a quick Google reveals $27 to $56, versus about $12 to $15 for a simple ionization smoke alarm.

buddies house burned down. and the deposit was VERY healthy, compared to $500 for new CO/smokes every 10 years. and some AHJ's require battery, interconnect, and hardwired.

 

[gadfly56]

buddies house burned down. and the deposit was VERY healthy, compared to $500 for new CO/smokes every 10 years. and some AHJ's require battery, interconnect, and hardwired.

Did I miss a post???

 

[chorty55]

Did I miss a post???

Nope. $65 co/smoke alarms are CHEAP for what they prevent. Never have enough.

 

[gadfly56]

Nope. $65 co/smoke alarms are CHEAP for what they prevent. Never have enough.

Well, buy 4 $15 smoke alarms then. Both the photo and ionization meet the detection standards. The testing I've read about doesn't find much difference, and what there is, is pretty close to the margin of error.

 

[chorty55]

We need combo smoke/CO in bedrooms here. Other rooms is smokes, and the inspector gets anal if there's a basement and attic with remodels . Claims there's tools to easily interconnect the basement and upper floors, ontop of battery and hardwire power. Great guy.

Fish rods, rope, and swearing I managed.

 

[gadfly56]

We need combo smoke/CO in bedrooms here. Other rooms is smokes, and the inspector gets anal if there's a basement and attic with remodels . Claims there's tools to easily interconnect the basement and upper floors, ontop of battery and hardwire power. Great guy.

Fish rods, rope, and swearing I managed.

Unless your locality changed things, "attic" means a habitable space, not the 140F sweatbox you typically find. That leaves the basement. Even then, unless this is new construction, most jurisdictions let you use stand-alone alarms; they don't have to be interconnected, and a sale doesn't trigger an update.

 

[cashpoppper]

i think @chorty55 meant the building inspector, not necessarily the electrical inspector finds that since the residence has an attic, and basement, there's no reason not to be able to fish and pull wire, well, specifically a 3 conductor, correct me if i'm wrong, and properly interconnect and supply hardware power to smoke alarms and CO detectors.

i'll presume it wasn't meant to install smoke alarms in the attic. seriously, who would put fire alarms in the attic? kind of a weird place.


But maybe since the forum is tailored to electrical, and not practical, it's safe to assume the smoke alarms were going to improperly or misinterpretation to installed in the attic.