usi 5304 - Recommended Alarm Locations; General Placement and Mounting; Installation Requirements by Home Type

SMOKE ALARM LIMITATIONS AND FUNCTIONS
• There are three basic smoke alarm types: Universal Smoke Sensing Technology
®
, Ionization and
Photoelectric
• Universal Smoke Sensing Technology
®
is an ionization alarm containing patented Smart Alarm
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• PhotoelectricVPRNHDODUPVRQWKHRWKHUKDQGDUHW\SLFDOO\PRUHHIIHFWLYHDWGHWHFWLQJVORZVPROGHULQJ
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burning in couches or bedding.
• Installing alarms containing Universal Smoke Sensing Technology ensures maximum detection of both
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• The enclosed alarm is an Ionization smoke alarm.
z SMOKE ALARMS WILL NOT WORK DURING A LOSS OF POWER. SINCE A SMOKE ALARM WILL
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z USING AN IONIZATION SMOKE ALARM IN A SMOKY AREA, SUCH AS A KITCHEN, OR IN A HIGH
HUMIDITY AREA NEAR A SHOWER, CAN CAUSE NUISANCE FALSE ALARMS. IT IS PREFERABLE
TO USE PHOTOELECTRIC ALARMS IN THESE AREAS. DO NOT TURN OFF THE AC POWER TO
QUIET THE ALARM. A SMOKE ALARM WILL NOT HELP PROTECT YOU IF IT IS NOT POWERED.
Properly locate your alarm to avoid nuisance alarms.
z A SMOKE ALARM MAY NOT ALWAYS WARN YOU ABOUT FIRES CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS
AND SAFETY HAZARDS LIKE SMOKING IN BED, VIOLENT EXPLOSIONS, ESCAPING GAS,
IMPROPER STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE MATERIALS, OVERLOADED ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS,
CHILDREN PLAYING WITH MATCHES, NATURAL CAUSES SUCH AS LIGHTNING, OR ARSON. FIRE
PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST SAFEGUARD.
z INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS MAY MAKE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR LOWER INSURANCE RATES, BUT
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continue to insure their lives and properties.
z SMOKE ALARMS CANNOT DETECT FIRES IF THE SMOKE DOES NOT REACH THEM. Smoke from
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z BE AWARE OF VARIOUS SITUATIONS AGAINST WHICH THE SMOKE ALARM MAY NOT BE
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 SMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT DETECT FIRE ON ANOTHER FLOOR OR AREA OF THE HOME.
Recommended minimum protection is at least one smoke alarm in every sleeping area and every bedroom
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zSMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT BE HEARD. The alarm horn in this alarm meets or exceeds current standards,
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CURRENT STUDIES HAVE SHOWN SMOKE ALARMS MAY NOT AWAKEN ALL SLEEPING
INDIVIDUALS AND THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO
ARE CAPABLE OF ASSISTING OTHERS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO MAY NOT
BE AWAKENED BY THE ALARM SOUND OR TO THOSE WHO MAY BE INCAPABLE OF SAFELY
EVACUATING THE AREA UNASSISTED.
zSMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT FOOLPROOF. You must test the smoke alarm ZHHNO\ to ensure your
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zSMOKE ALARMS HAVE A LIMITED LIFE. The smoke alarm should be replaced immediately if it is not
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zSMOKE ALARMS ARE NOT TO BE USED WITH DETECTOR GUARDS UNLESS THE COMBINATION
HAS BEEN EVALUATED AND FOUND SUITABLE FOR THAT PURPOSE.
Page 2
RECOMMENDED LOCATION OF ALARMS
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route as the bedrooms are usually farthest from an exit. If more than one sleeping area exists,
locate additional smoke alarms in each sleeping area. If a hall is more than 40 feet (12 meters)
long, install a smoke alarm at each end.
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and heat.
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operated in sleeping areas.
• Smoke, heat and other combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally. Mounting
the smoke alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it closest to all points in the room.
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mounting on an inside partition is preferred to avoid the thermal barrier that may form at the ceiling.
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or corner (see Diagram A).
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Page 3
Sloped Ceilings (Peaked Ceilings):
Smoke alarms or smoke detectors mounted on a peaked ceiling shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm)
horizontally of the peak, but not closer than 4 in. (102 mm) vertically to the peak.
Sloped Ceilings (Shed Ceilings):
Smoke alarms or smoke detectors mounted on a sloped ceiling having a rise greater than 1 ft. in 8 ft. (1
m in 8 m) horizontally shall be located within 36 in. (914 mm) of the high side of the ceiling, but not closer
than 4 in. (102 mm) from the adjoining wall surface.
Tray-Shaped Ceilings:
Smoke Alarms or smoke detectors shall be installed on the highest portion of the ceiling or on the sloped
portion of the ceiling within 12 in. (305 mm) vertically down from the highest point.
Mobile Home Installation:
For minimum protection, smoke alarms should be installed in compliance with H.U.D. Manufactured
Home Construction Safety Standards, Title 24 CFR, Section 3280.208 and Section 3282. For additional
protection, see Single Story Residence smoke alarm requirements/recommendations for Existing Homes
and New Construction Homes.
Note: For mobile homes built before 1978, install smoke alarms on inside walls between 4” and 12” from
the ceiling (older mobile homes have little or no insulation in the ceiling). This is especially important if
the ceiling is unusually hot or cold.
Install a smoke alarm inside each bedroom and in the hallway outside each separate sleeping area.
Existing Homes:
The NFPA requires a smoke alarm on every level and outside each sleeping area in existing construction.
An existing household with one level and one sleeping area is required to have one smoke alarm.
New Construction Homes and Manufactured Homes:
The NFPA requires AC-powered, interconnected smoke alarms to be installed inside each bedroom, outside
each bedroom area, and on every level of the home. They also require a minimum of two AC-powered,
interconnected smoke alarms in any new construction home.