BRK electronic SA100B Locations To Avoid For Smoke Alarms, Agency Placement Recommendations

STROBE LIGHT OUTPUT FOR WALL & CEILING

MOUNTING

The intensity of the strobe light gradually lessens as the angle increases. In other words, the light is brightest directly in front of the strobe light and is progressively less bright to either side. As required by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the following illustrations show how the strobe light is dispersed. Use them to help you choose where to locate units for the hearing impaired.

		Angle	Percent		90
LIGHT	CEILING	(In Degrees)	Light Intensity
		0	100
90	90				45
		5-25	90
		30-45	75	WALL
		50	55
		55	45
45	45	60	40		0
		65	35
		70	35	LIGHT
0		75	30
FIGURE 1: Light Output		80	30
		85	25
for Ceiling Mount
		90	25		45
		FIGURE 2: Light Output
		for Wall Mount			90

PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY AND STROBE FLASH RATES

Individuals who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy might have an increased probability for seizures with multiple strobe lights flashing asynchronously. The frequency or speed of flashing light that is most likely to cause seizures varies from person to person. Generally, flashing lights most likely to trigger seizures are between the frequency of 5 to 30 flashes per second (Hertz). This strobe light flashes at about 1 flash per second.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, most workplaces and places serving the public, including theaters, restaurants, and recreation areas, are required to have fire alarms, which flash as well as ring so that people who cannot hear or cannot hear well will know that there is an emergency.

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES

For minimum security install one Smoke Alarm as close to each sleep- ing area as possible. For more security, put one in each room. Many older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no insulation. If your mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on inside walls only. Smoke Alarms should be installed where temperatures normally remain between 40˚ F (4˚ C) and 100˚ F (38˚ C).

This equipment should be installed in accordance with NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 72 and 101. National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. Additional local building and regulatory codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance requirements before beginning any installation.

AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

NFPA 72 (National Fire Code)

Smoke Alarms shall be installed in each separate sleeping room, out- side each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics.

In new construction, Alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one Alarm shall cause the operation of all Alarms within the dwelling.

Smoke Detection-Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number of Smoke Alarms might not provide reliable early warning protection for those areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required Smoke Alarms. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional Smoke Alarms for those areas for increased protection. The additional areas include the base- ment, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways not protected by the required Smoke Alarms. The installation of Smoke Alarms in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experience conditions that can result in improper operation.

California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)

Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detec- tion equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A Smoke Alarm installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bedrooms), and Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, finished attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements, and attached garages.

LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS

For best performance, it is recommended you AVOID installing Smoke Alarms in these areas:

•Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles form when something burns. Areas to avoid include poorly ventilated kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet (6 meters) from the sources of combustion particles (stove, furnace, water heater, space heater) if possible. In areas where a 20-foot (6 m) distance is not possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller homes, for example – it is recommended the Smoke Alarm be placed as far from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The placement recommenda- tions are intended to keep these Alarms at a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source, and thus reduce “unwanted” alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if a Smoke Alarm is placed directly next to a fuel-burning source. Ventilate these areas as much as possible.

•In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke into the sensing chamber of a Smoke Alarm near the kitchen.

•In very damp, humid or steamy areas, or directly near bathrooms with showers. Keep units at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc.

•Where the temperatures are regularly below 40˚ F (4˚C) or above 100˚ F (38˚C), including unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, porches, or unfinished attics or basements.

•In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a Smoke Alarm directly over the stove or range. Keep laundry room Smoke Alarms free of dust or lint.

•Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can blow smoke away from the unit, preventing it from reaching the sensing chamber.

•In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing chamber and cause unwanted alarms.

•Less than 12 inches (305mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.

•In “dead air” spaces. “Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm.

Avoiding Dead Air Spaces

“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm. To avoid dead air spaces, follow the installation recommendations below.

On ceilings, install Smoke Alarms as close to the center of the ceiling as possible. If this is not possible, install the Smoke Alarm at least

4 inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.

For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Smoke Alarms should be placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.

On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install the first Smoke Alarm within 3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured horizontally. Additional Smoke Alarms may be required depending on the length, angle, etc. of the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for details on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.

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