Basic Information about your Smoke Alarm
A Smoke Alarm is an early warning device. Used correctly it can give you and your family valuable extra time to escape.
Note:-
When the battery is first connected the Alarm may sound for |
2-3 seconds and/or the LED may flash quickly for 10 sec- |
onds - this is normal. |
A Smoke Alarm does not prevent fires. |
Install correctly, in the centre of the ceiling if possible. |
Test monthly. |
Recommended protection, Figures 1,2 & 3
Minimum protection
each storey
each sleeping area.
every 7.5 metres (25 ft) of hallways and rooms.
Maximum protection.
All rooms (except bathroom & kitchens)
Figure 1: Single Storey Dwelling
In houses with more than one sleeping area, Smoke Alarms should be placed between each sleeping area and the living area (for example, see figure 2).
b) Multi Storey Dwellings
If your home is on more than one level the best place for your first Smoke Alarm is in the downstairs hallway near the stairs. (for example see figure 3). This is because smoke is likely to be detectable in the hallway before it reaches the upstairs landing and bedrooms. Your second Smoke Alarm should be upstairs, because the downstairs Smoke Alarm is unlikely to detect the smoke from a fire in a bedroom upstairs.
(a) Ceiling Mounting
Hot smoke rises and spreads out, so a central ceiling position is the preferred location. The air is “dead” and does not move in corners, therefore Smoke Alarms must be mounted away from corners. Place the unit at least 30cm (12 inches) from any light fitting or decorative object which might obstruct smoke entering the Smoke Alarm. Keep at least 15 cm (6 inches) away from walls and corners. See figure 4.
(b) Wall Mounting
When a ceiling position is not practical (for example on a ceiling having exposed beams or joists, or built-in radiant heating) put
When the Alarm beeps and LED flashes at the same time |
replace battery. |
If the Alarm beeps without the LED flashing at the same |
time then clean unit as this is the automatic test feature tell- |
ing you the chamber is degraded. |
Plan your escape route. |
Proper protection may require more than one Smoke Alarm. |
If you have any doubt or query about Smoke Alarms consult |
the supplier or your local Fire Brigade. |
Locating your Smoke Alarm
(c) Maximum Protection
For maximum protection you should put individual Smoke Alarms in all the rooms where fire is most likely to break out (apart from the locations to avoid, mentioned below). The living room is the most likely place for a fire to start at night, followed by the kitchen and then the dining room. You should also consider putting Smoke Alarms in any bedrooms where fires might occur, for instance, where there is an electrical appliance such as an electric blanket or heater, or where the occupant is a smoker. You could also consider putting Smoke Alarms in any rooms where the occupant is unable to respond very well to a fire start- ing in the room, such as an elderly or sick person or a very young
the top edge of your Smoke Alarm between 15 and 30 cm (6 and 12 inches) below the ceiling. Keep at least 15cm (6 inches) from corners. (see figure 4).
(c) On a sloping Ceiling
In areas with sloping or peaked ceilings install your Smoke Alarm 90 cm (3 feet) from the highest point measured horizon- tally (see figure 5), because “dead air” at the apex may prevent smoke from reaching the unit.
(d) Locations to Avoid
Don’t place your Smoke Alarm in any of the following areas:
Bathrooms, shower rooms, garages or other rooms |
Sufficient smoke must enter your Smoke Alarm before it will re- spond. Your Smoke Alarm needs to be within 10 paces (23 feet) of the fire to respond quickly. It also needs to be in a position where its alarm can be heard throughout your home, so it can wake you and your family in time for you all to escape. A single Smoke Alarm will give some protection if it is properly installed, but most homes will require two or more to ensure that a reliable early warning is given. For maximum protection you should put individual Smoke Alarms in all the rooms where fire is most likely to break out.
Your first Smoke Alarm should be located between the sleeping
Figure 2: Single Storey Dwelling with separate sleeping areas
BEDROOM | KITCHEN | DINING |
| |
BEDROOM | LIVING | |
child.
(d) Checking you can hear your Smoke Alarm
With the Smoke Alarm sounding in its intended location, check you are able to hear it in each bedroom with the door closed, above the sound of your radio. The radio should be set to a rea- sonably loud conversation level. If you can’t hear it over your ra- dio the chances are that it wouldn’t wake you.
If a Smoke Alarm is too far away for it to wake you, it is best to link it to another Smoke Alarm near the bedroom. The Interconnect Smoke Alarms EI105C and EI100C are designed for this - when
where the smoke alarm may be triggered by steam, conden- |
sation, normal smoke or fumes. |
Attics or other places where extremes of temperature may |
occur (below 4°C/34°F or above 40°C/104°F). |
Near a decorative object, door, light fitting, window |
molding etc., that may prevent smoke from entering the |
Smoke Alarm. |
Surfaces that are normally warmer or colder than the rest of |
the room (for example attic hatches, uninsulated exterior |
walls etc). Temperature differences might stop smoke from |
reaching the unit. |
area and the most likely sources of fire (living room or kitchen for example). But it should not be more than 10 paces (seven me- tres) from the door to any room where a fire might start and block your escape from the house.
(a) Single Storey Dwelling.
BEDROOM
Figure 3: Multi Storey Dwelling
one alarm senses smoke, all connected alarms respond.
Positioning your Smoke Alarm
| Next to or directly above heaters or air conditioning |
| vents, windows, wall vents etc. that can change the direc- |
| tion of airflow. |
| In very high or awkward areas where it may be difficult to |
reach the alarm (for testing, battery replacement etc).
Locate unit at least 1.5m (5 feet) and route wiring at least 1m |
If your Home is on one level (a bungalow or mobile home for ex- ample) you should put your first Smoke Alarm in a corridor or hallway between the sleeping and living areas. Place it as near to the living area as possible, but make sure you can hear it loudly enough to wake you in the bedroom. (for example, see figure 1)
If your bungalow is very large and the corridor or hallway is more than say 22 paces (15 metres) long, one Smoke Alarm will not be sufficient. This is because no matter where it is located it will be more than 7.5 metres from potential fires.
Figure 4
IDEAL IN CENTRE OF CEILING
DE AD AIR S PACE S
NE VE R WIT HIN 15cm
OF ANY CORNE R
(3 feet) away from fluorescent light fittings as electricial |
“noise” and/or flickering may affect the unit. |
Locate away from very dusty or dirty areas as dust build-up |
in the chamber can make unit too sensitive and prone to |
alarm. It can also block the insect screen mesh and prevent |
smoke from entering the chamber. |
Do not locate in insect infested areas. Small insects get- |
ting in to the chamber can cause intermittent alarms. |
