BRK electronic UL539 Locations to Avoid for Heat Alarms, Special Compliance Considerations

AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEAT AND SMOKE ALARMS

NFPA Appendix A-2-5.2.2: While Chapter 2 does not require heat detectors as part of the basic protection scheme, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional heat detectors...The additional areas lending themselves to protection with heat detectors are: kitchen, dining room, attic (finished or unfinished), furnace room, utility room, basement and integral or attached garages. For bedrooms, the installation of a smoke detector is preferable to the installation of a heat detector.

The following recommendations reference location and usage of Smoke Alarms. Heat Alarms are intended as supplemental safety devices.

Do not rely solely on Heat Alarms to alert you to fire.

NFPA 72 (National Fire Code)

Smoke Alarms shall be installed in each separate sleeping room, outside 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 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 Marshal (CSFM)

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.

Additional local building and regulatory codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance requirements before beginning any installation.

Specific requirements for Heat or 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 recom- mended they be interconnected for added protection. Interconnect Smoke and Heat Alarms for added protection.

LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR HEAT ALARMS

This unit works best when it’s clean and nothing interferes with the sensor. If exposed to dirt, grease, extreme temperatures not caused by fire (especially in attics where daily temperatures can exceed the 135º F (57º C) alarm level or high humidity, it may sound “unwanted” alarms. If Heat Alarms are installed where heat can’t reach them–like in “dead air spaces” or near fans–they may not be able to provide an early enough warning in case of fire.

For best performance, do not install the Heat Alarm:

•Where temperatures are regularly below –20º F (–29º C) or above 115º F (46º C), including unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, or porches.

•Do not install a Heat Alarm directly over the stove or range. Clean a laundry room unit frequently to keep it free of dirt or lint.

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

•In “dead air” spaces. Install units according to “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces”.

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

AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES

“Dead air” spaces may prevent heat from reaching the Heat Alarm. To avoid dead air spaces, follow installation instructions in the “Recommended Locations for Heat Alarms” (refer to NFPA72 for details).

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

SPECIAL COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS

The following recommendations reference location and usage of Smoke Alarms. Heat Alarms are only intended as supplemental safety devices. Do not rely solely on Heat Alarms to alert you to fire.

This unit alone is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in places housing many people—like apartment buildings, condominiums, hotels, motels, dormitories, hospitals, long-term health care facilities, nursing homes, day care facilities, or group homes of any kind—even if they were once single-family homes. It is not a suitable substitute for complete fire detection systems in warehouses, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special-purpose non-residential buildings which require special fire detection and alarm systems. Depending on the building codes in your area, this unit may be used to provide additional protection in these facilities.

For your reference: The following is information on Smoke Alarm usage in various residences and institutions.

The following information applies to all five types of buildings listed below:

In new construction, most building codes require the use of AC or AC/DC powered Smoke Alarms only. AC, AC/DC, or DC powered Smoke Alarms can be used in existing construction as specified by local building codes. Refer to NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), local building codes, or consult your Fire Department for detailed fire protection requirements in buildings not defined as “households.”

1. Single-Family Residence:

Single family home, townhouse. It is recommended Smoke Alarms be installed on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and in each bedroom hallway.

2. Multi-Family or Mixed Occupant Residence:

Apartment building, condominium. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in individual apartments or condos, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.

3. Institutions:

Hospitals, day care facilities, long-term health care facilities. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use in individual patient sleeping/resident rooms, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.

4. Hotels and Motels:

Also boarding houses and dormitories. This Smoke Alarm is suitable for use inside individual sleeping/resident rooms, provided a primary fire detection system already exists to meet fire detection requirements in common areas like lobbies, hallways, or porches. Using this Smoke Alarm in common areas may not provide sufficient warning to all residents or meet local fire protection ordinances/regulations.

5. Warehouses/Commercial Buildings:

DO NOT use this Alarm in warehouses, industrial or commercial buildings, special-purpose non-residential buildings, RVs, boats, or airplanes. This Alarm is specifically designed for residential use, and may not provide adequate protection in non-residential applications.

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