Installing smoke alarms
Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom , outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
How far can a smoke detector be from a bedroom door in a hallway?
Smoke detectors shall be a minimum of four inches away from a wall. f. The maximum allowable distance from a hallway smoke detector to a bedroom is twenty feet on an unobstructed ceiling.
Where should smoke detectors be placed in a hallway?
Presently the California State Building Code requires that smoke alarms be located in 1) the hallway outside the bedrooms 2) in each bedroom and 3) on every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor.
How far from a wall should a smoke detector be placed?
If you mount it on the wall, place it four to 12 inches below the ceiling and away from corners. Keep them high because smoke rises. Never place them any closer than three feet from an air register that might re-circulate smoke. Don’t place them near doorways or windows where drafts could impair the detector operation.
How many smoke detectors should be in a hallway?
One detector in a short hallway outside the bedroom area is usually adequate . Hallways longer than 30 feet should have one detector every 30 feet. A smoke detector should be installed in every room that will be occupied. Be sure to keep the detector away from fireplaces and wood stoves to avoid false alarms.
Should smoke detectors be on wall or ceiling?
Smoke alarms should be mounted in or near bedrooms and living areas, either on the ceiling or the wall . Ceiling mounting it is typically preferred as it allows the smoke alarm to be placed more centrally in the room.
Should you put a smoke detector in the kitchen?
In order for smoke alarms to perform best in your home, they need to be properly installed in each room. In the kitchen, smoke detectors should be installed at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to minimize the number of false alarms. Smoke rises, so smoke alarms should be placed high on walls or ceilings.
Does carbon monoxide fall or rise?
There are three things that make carbon monoxide extremely dangerous: 1) The molecules of carbon monoxide are so small, they can easily travel through drywall; 2) Carbon monoxide doesn’t sink or rise – it mixes easily with the air inside a home; 3) It is an odorless gas, so without an alarm to notify you that it is in ...
How should smoke alarms be installed and maintained?
Where do I install them? In addition to the minimum requirement of one smoke alarm per level, Fire and Rescue NSW research recommends installing smoke alarms in all bedrooms and living spaces (including hallways and stairways) and even the garage. Avoid fitting smoke alarms in or near your kitchen or bathroom.
How high off the floor should a carbon monoxide detector be mounted?
Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor . The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance.
Where do you put a carbon monoxide detector in a smoker?
Make sure smoke detectors are installed high on the walls or near the center of the ceilings , and at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances. When installing on the wall, place the smoke alarm at least 12 inches from the ceiling. This is because smoke rises and will make the alarms the most effective.
What are the codes for smoke detectors?
Presently the California State Building Code requires that smoke alarms be located in 1) the hallway outside the bedrooms 2) in each bedroom and 3) on every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor. The California State Building Code has required this at least since 2007.
Do you need a carbon monoxide detector in every room?
According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every floor of the home , including basements. Detectors should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door, and be placed near or over any attached garages.
What is the NEC code for smoke detectors?
Remember, single-station 120-volt smoke alarms are covered by NEC Article 210 . These smoke alarms are subject to the requirements for AFCI protection, whereas the low-voltage fire alarms covered by NEC Article 760 are not.
Do smoke detectors detect carbon monoxide?
Both of these devices save lives, although they do so in different ways. Smoke detectors alert you to the presence of smoke and possibly fire in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors alert you to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas .
What kind of wire do we run in between smoke detectors?
Either a 15-amp circuit (wired with 14-gauge wire) or a 20-amp circuit (wired with 12-gauge cable) is acceptable for powering hardwired smoke detectors. Wiring the smoke detectors is fairly straightforward for an experienced DIYer or a professional electrician.
