HOME FIRE PROTECTION
(Page 3 of 6)
Where Should They Be?
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Though every new smoke detector includes detailed placement
instructions, an understanding of the principles of fire
detection can help you tailor those guidelines to your
home.
About 70% of all residential fire fatalities occur between
8:00 PM and 8:00 AM, so the main danger from fire is that
sleeping people will be overcome by smoke or toxic fumes.
For that reason, smoke detectors should be placed 1) in the
path smoke would take to reach the bedrooms from the rest
of the house and 2) in locations close enough to the
bedrooms to rouse everyone. Thus, depending on your home's
layout, you may need from one to several detectors.
For example, a single detector located on the ceiling
outside the bedroom doors might adequately protect a
single-story house with all the bedrooms in one wing. On
the other hand, if the master bedroom is isolated from the
other bedrooms, there should be an additional detector
outside that door. Twostory houses should have a detector
on each floor. One should be installed outside the bedrooms
on the second floor, and another should be located near the
stairwell on the first floor. If there is a basement, it
would also be a good idea to place one near the stairway
that leads up to the first floor. It isn't necessary to
have a detector at each level of a split-level house unless
doors separate the areas. All detectors wired to household
current—and battery—operated detectors, if
possible-should be interconnected so they all sound when
one senses smoke.
Additional detectors—perhaps in the bedrooms if doors
are kept closed, or in the living room—would increase
the safety margin slightly. In general, though, avoid
putting detectors in the kitchen, in the garage, or near a
fireplace or woodstove, since false alarms are likely in
these places.
As for the specifics of installation, because smoke rises,
detectors usually work best when attached to the ceiling.
However, if the ceiling is uninsulated or radiantly heated,
place them on the wall between 4" and 12" from the ceiling.
Further, if the ceiling has exposed joists or beams, place
the detector on the bottom of one. On a ceiling with a
slope greater than 1:8, the detector should be set within
4" and 12" vertically and 4" and 36" laterally of the
highest point. Detectors should never be installed within
4" of a wall-ceiling junction or a corner, either of which
smoke may bypass. Likewise, don't position detectors in the
air path of heating or air-conditioning vents.
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