Smoke alarm placement

[dan orourke]

.............

[Rick Cantrell]

Yes there are requirements/ restrictions on the placement of smoke detectors.
I'm at home and my book is at the office so I may not be exact, but it says:
on ceilings do not mount closer that 12" of wall or near a vent,
when mounted on the wall, mount within 12" but not closer than 6" of ceiling.

Mounting them to close to a vent or fan MAY cause a smoke detector to become to sensitive (false alarm) also should not be mounted outside of bathroom.

[Jerry Peck]

In addition to be spaced out from the wall and the ceiling, they have to be located away from air disturbing sources.

Many smoke detectors used to say to place 5 feet from an air disturbing source, however, I believe most are now saying 3 feet.

Some examples of air disturbing sources are:
- supply registers
- return air grilles
- the ends of ceiling fan blades (figure a 52" ceiling fan is 26" from center, plus 36", equals 62" from center of its box to the smoke detector)

[Jerry Peck]

Dan,

"Many smoke detectors used to say "

Manufacturer's installation instructions, that's where I read those things.

It might address that in NFPA 72, which I thought I had, but I don't.

[Joe Nernberg]

Smoke alarm placement:

NFPA :: Research & Reports :: Fact sheets :: Fire protection equipment :: Smoke alarms (http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=278&URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fact%20sheets/Fire%20protection%20equipment/Smoke%20alarms&cookie%5Ftest=1)

[Tom Davis]

 No closer than 3' to any cold air return or supply, or ceiling fan. Nuisance alarms due to dust attraction are common when this is done, and the sensitivity can diminish.