BRK electronic user manual Where to Install Smoke Alarms, Where not to Install Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms may not be heard. Though the alarm horn in this unit meets or exceeds current standards,

it may not be heard if: 1) the unit is located outside a closed or partially closed door; 2) residents recently consumed alcohol or drugs; 3) the alarm is drowned out by noise from stereo, TV, traffic, air conditioner or other appliances;

4)residents are hearing impaired or sound sleepers. Special purpose units, like those with visual and audible alarms, should be installed for hearing impaired residents.

Smoke alarms may not have time to alarm before the fire itself causes damage, injury, or death, since smoke from some fires may not reach the unit immediately. Examples of this include persons smoking in bed, children playing with matches, or fires caused by violent explosions resulting from escaping gas.

Smoke alarms are not foolproof. Like any electronic device, smoke alarms are made of components that can wear out or fail at any time. You must test the unit weekly to ensure your continued protection. Smoke alarms cannot prevent or extinguish fires. They are not a substitute for property or life insurance.

Smoke alarms have a limited life. The unit should be replaced immediately if it is not operating properly.

It is recommended you replace a smoke alarm after 10 years from date of manufacture. See back of smoke alarm for manufacture date.

WHERE TO INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recommends one smoke alarm on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In new construction, the smoke alarms must be AC powered and interconnected. See “Agency Placement Recommendations” for details. For additional coverage, it is recommended that you install a smoke alarm in all rooms, halls, storage areas, finished attics, and basements, where temperatures normally remain between 40˚F (4˚C) and 100˚F (38˚C). Make sure no door or other obstruction could keep smoke from reaching the smoke alarms.

AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

IMPORTANT!

This equipment should be installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72.

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.

NFPA Standard 72 Section 2-2.1.1.1

2-2.1.1.1 Smoke alarms shall be installed outside of each separate 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 a smoke alarm shall also be installed in each sleeping room. Chapter 2 also reads as follows: 2-2.2.1: In new construction, where more than one smoke alarm is required by 2-2.1, alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one alarm shall cause the operation of all alarms within the dwelling.

A-2.5.2.1 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 basement, 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 Marshall

Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection 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.

EXISTING HOMES

BEDROOM			BEDROOM
	HALL	BEDROOM	KITCHEN	DINING ROOM
LIVING ROOM		KITCHEN
			BEDROOM	LIVING ROOM
	FINISHED BASEMENT		SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT,

MOBILE HOME

MULTI-STORY RESIDENCE

KEY:

REQUIRED TO MEET

NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDED FOR

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION

SMOKE ALARMS WITH SILENCE FEATURES RECOMMENDED FOR ADDITIONAL PROTECTION

WHERE NOT TO INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS

For best performance, do not install the unit:

• 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. 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.

NEW CONSTRUCTION

BEDROOM HALL	BEDROOM
LIVING ROOM	KITCHEN

FINISHED BASEMENT

MULTI-STORY RESIDENCE

BEDROOM	KITCHEN	DINING ROOM
BEDROOM		LIVING ROOM

SINGLE-STORY RESIDENCE, APARTMENT, MOBILE HOME

KEY:

REQUIRED TO MEET

NFPA RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDED FOR

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION

SMOKE ALARMS WITH SILENCE FEATURES RECOMMENDED FOR ADDITIONAL PROTECTION

INTERCONNECTED AC OR

AC/DC SMOKE ALARMS

• 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.

Clean a laundry room unit frequently to keep it 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 (305 mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.

• In “dead air” spaces (see “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces” below).

More specifically, install smoke alarms:

•On every level of your home, including finished attics and basements.

•Inside every bedroom, especially if people sleep with the door partly or completely closed.

•In the hall near every sleeping area. If your home has multiple sleeping areas, install a unit in each. If a hall is more than 40 feet long (12 meters), install a unit at each end.

•At the top of the first-to-second floor stairway, and at the bottom of the basement stairway.

IMPORTANT!

Specific requirements for smoke alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region.

Check with your local Fire Department for current requirements in your area. If you install AC or AC/DC units, it is recommended they be interconnected for added protection.

AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES

FOR STANDARD FLAT CEILINGS

Do not install smoke alarm lower than 12" (305mm) from the wall/ceiling line

Best Location (center of ceiling)

Acceptable Location

Dead Air Spaces (4" or 102 mm)

FOR SLOPED CEILINGS	FOR PEAKED CEILINGS
(i.e. great rooms, dormers, condominiums )	(i.e. Cathedral ceilings, A-frames)

Install first smoke alarm in this target area

3 ft 0.9 m

3 ft

0.9 m

Install first smoke alarm in this target area

If required, install additional	If required, install additional
smoke alarms along the slope.	smoke alarms along the slope.

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES AND RVS

WARNING!

Test units used in RVs after the vehicle has been in storage, before every trip, and once a week while in use. Failure to test units used in RVs as described may remove your protection.

For minimum security install one smoke alarm as close to each sleeping area as possible. For more security, put one unit 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).

“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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