Thread: Smoke alarm placement

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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.

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)

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.

Smoke alarm placement:

NFPA :: Research & Reports :: Fact sheets :: Fire protection equipment :: Smoke alarms

 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.