smoke detectors (locations??)
- Thread starter mickle34
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russ
Senior Member
- Location
- Burbank IL
Re: smoke detectors (locations??)
Smoke detectors are a building code requirement.
Smoke detectors are a building code requirement.
mjf
Senior Member
Re: smoke detectors (locations??)
Along the same subject;
I know detectors must be within 12" of ceiling if wall mounted.
Is there code that says ceiling mounted detectors must be a particular distance from wall or distance from bedroom door opening?
Inspector made me move ceiling mounted detector away from bedroom doorway (it was about 12" away and he wanted me to move it about a foot).
Along the same subject;
I know detectors must be within 12" of ceiling if wall mounted.
Is there code that says ceiling mounted detectors must be a particular distance from wall or distance from bedroom door opening?
Inspector made me move ceiling mounted detector away from bedroom doorway (it was about 12" away and he wanted me to move it about a foot).
russ
Senior Member
- Location
- Burbank IL
Re: smoke detectors (locations??)
Make Placement a Priority
A recent NFPA report on smoke detectors found that there is a substantial number of households that do not have the devices on every level of the home, as needed. The majority of fire deaths occur at night when people are asleep. NFPA's National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) says homes must have smoke detectors on every level of the home including the basement and outside each sleeping area. New homes are required to have a smoke detector in each sleeping area as well.
To slow the spread of smoke and fumes if a fire develops, NFPA suggests that you sleep with your bedroom doors closed. If you sleep with your bedroom doors closed, install a smoke detector inside each bedroom. Detectors should also be installed in other areas of your home where people sleep. In new homes, the National Fire Alarm Code requires hard-wired detectors to be interconnected, so that if one detector is activated, all detectors will sound the alarm signal. On floors without bedrooms, smoke detectors should be installed in or near living areas, such as family rooms and living rooms.
Detectors that are hard-wired into the home electrical system should be installed by a qualified electrician. If your detector plugs into a wall socket, make sure it has a restraining device to keep its plug from being pulled out. Never connect a detector to a circuit that could be turned off at a wall switch. Most detectors are battery-powered and can be installed with a screwdriver and drill and by following the manufacturer's instructions.
Since smoke and deadly gases rise, detectors should be placed on the ceiling at least 4 inches from the nearest wall, or high on a wall, 4-12 inches from the ceiling. This 4-inch minimum is important to keep detectors out of possible "dead air" spaces, because hot air is turbulent and may bounce so much it misses spots near a surface. Installing detectors near a window, door or fireplace is not recommended because drafts could detour smoke away from the unit. In rooms where the ceiling has an extremely high point, such as in vaulted ceilings, mount the detector at or near the ceiling's highest point.
Maintenance is a Must
Make Placement a Priority
A recent NFPA report on smoke detectors found that there is a substantial number of households that do not have the devices on every level of the home, as needed. The majority of fire deaths occur at night when people are asleep. NFPA's National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) says homes must have smoke detectors on every level of the home including the basement and outside each sleeping area. New homes are required to have a smoke detector in each sleeping area as well.
To slow the spread of smoke and fumes if a fire develops, NFPA suggests that you sleep with your bedroom doors closed. If you sleep with your bedroom doors closed, install a smoke detector inside each bedroom. Detectors should also be installed in other areas of your home where people sleep. In new homes, the National Fire Alarm Code requires hard-wired detectors to be interconnected, so that if one detector is activated, all detectors will sound the alarm signal. On floors without bedrooms, smoke detectors should be installed in or near living areas, such as family rooms and living rooms.
Detectors that are hard-wired into the home electrical system should be installed by a qualified electrician. If your detector plugs into a wall socket, make sure it has a restraining device to keep its plug from being pulled out. Never connect a detector to a circuit that could be turned off at a wall switch. Most detectors are battery-powered and can be installed with a screwdriver and drill and by following the manufacturer's instructions.
Since smoke and deadly gases rise, detectors should be placed on the ceiling at least 4 inches from the nearest wall, or high on a wall, 4-12 inches from the ceiling. This 4-inch minimum is important to keep detectors out of possible "dead air" spaces, because hot air is turbulent and may bounce so much it misses spots near a surface. Installing detectors near a window, door or fireplace is not recommended because drafts could detour smoke away from the unit. In rooms where the ceiling has an extremely high point, such as in vaulted ceilings, mount the detector at or near the ceiling's highest point.
Maintenance is a Must
mjf
Senior Member
Re: smoke detectors (locations??)
Russ, thanks, great info.
The job I was refering to is a 3 story house from 1860's.
Rewired whole house. I hardwired and interconnected detectors.
-1 in basement
-1 in living room (1st floor),wall mount 9" below flat ceiling.
-1 in each of three bedrooms(2nd floor),ceiling mounted.
-1 in common hallway outside bedrooms(2nd floor),ceiling mounted.
-1 on third floor(no living space, strictly storage),ceiling mounted.
perhaps the inspector considered the one detector to be in a "dead space". I guess I should have asked him at my rough-in. I just moved it, only took 10 minutes.
Russ, thanks, great info.
The job I was refering to is a 3 story house from 1860's.
Rewired whole house. I hardwired and interconnected detectors.
-1 in basement
-1 in living room (1st floor),wall mount 9" below flat ceiling.
-1 in each of three bedrooms(2nd floor),ceiling mounted.
-1 in common hallway outside bedrooms(2nd floor),ceiling mounted.
-1 on third floor(no living space, strictly storage),ceiling mounted.
perhaps the inspector considered the one detector to be in a "dead space". I guess I should have asked him at my rough-in. I just moved it, only took 10 minutes.
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