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Guidelines for Locating Smoke Detectors and CO Detectors
The following information is for general guidance only and it is recommended that local fire codes and
regulations be consulted when locating and installing smoke and CO alarms.
Smoke Detectors
Research has shown that all hostile fires in homes generate smoke to a greater or lesser extent. Experi-
ments with typical fires in homes indicate that detectable quantities of smoke precede detectable levels
of
heat in most cases. For these reasons, smoke alarms should be installed outside of each sleeping area
and on each storey of the home.
The following information is for general guidance only and it is recommended that local fire codes and
regulations
be consulted when locating and installing smoke alarms.
It is recommended that additional smoke alarms beyond those required for minimum protection be
installed.
Additional areas that should be protected include: the basement; bedrooms, especially where
smokers sleep; dining rooms; furnace and utility rooms; and any hallways not protected by the required
units. On smooth ceilings, detectors may be spaced 9.1m (30 feet) apart as a guide. Other spacing may
be required depending on ceiling height, air movement, the presence of joists, uninsulated ceilings, etc.
Consult National Fire Alarm Code NFPA 72, CAN/ULC-S553-02 or other appropriate national standards
for installation recommendations.
• Do not locate smoke detectors at the top of peaked or gabled ceilings; the dead air space in these
locations
may prevent the unit from detecting smoke.
• Avoid areas with turbulent air flow, such as near doors, fans or windows. Rapid air movement
around
the detector may prevent smoke from entering the unit.
• Do not locate detectors in areas of high humidity.
• Do not locate detectors in areas where the temperature rises above 38
o
C (100
o
F) or falls below 5
o
C
(41
o
F).
Smoke detectors should always be installed in USA in accordance with Chapter 11 of NFPA 72, the
National Fire Alarm Code: 11.5.1.1.
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