Smoke detector placement

[Ryland]

I need to install 2 smoke detectors in the existing bedrooms due to new fire regulations. I found that they shouldn't be placed within 4" of a wall or near a door but I can't find anything concrete on how far away from a door or window it should be. I assume it it better to have it away from ceiling fans too, right?

Update: I just found a posting on another forum that shows that it shouldn't be within 36" of the edge of a fan blade.

Update2: Found a website that says that smoke detectors shouldn't be within 5 feet of a door.

 

[Teken]

I need to install 2 smoke detectors in the existing bedrooms due to new fire regulations. I found that they shouldn't be placed within 4" of a wall or near a door but I can't find anything concrete on how far away from a door or window it should be. I assume it it better to have it away from ceiling fans too, right?

Update: I just found a posting on another forum that shows that it shouldn't be within 36" of the edge of a fan blade.

Update2: Found a website that says that smoke detectors shouldn't be within 5 feet of a door.

So, where are you placing them? Dead center of the ceiling, or some random wall within the room??

I would think placing them above the interior of the door would be the best place, unless there is a free wall that placement doesn't detract from the decor.

Show me a picture once you're done I wouldnt mind seeing the end result.

Regards

EVIL Teken . . .

 

[oleguy]

for several years now i have been placeing them center line of door and 4 feet back.in your case maybe from the edge of the jamb fartherest from the wall and 4 feet into the room.

 

[fyrlt1]

I need to install 2 smoke detectors in the existing bedrooms due to new fire regulations. I found that they shouldn't be placed within 4" of a wall or near a door but I can't find anything concrete on how far away from a door or window it should be. I assume it it better to have it away from ceiling fans too, right?

Update: I just found a posting on another forum that shows that it shouldn't be within 36" of the edge of a fan blade.

Update2: Found a website that says that smoke detectors shouldn't be within 5 feet of a door.

smoke detectors if mounted on a ceiling must be 4" from a wall. If mounted on a wall they must be mounted 4" from the ceiling. They must be mounted 36 inches from a kitchen or (full)bathroom door, air vent, fan or high airflow devices or areas. Placement for detectors in a single family home may be different from placement of detectors that are part of a building fire alarm system because they may serve different functions.

Never heard of the 5 foot from a door placement but it may be part of a building code requirement I'm not aware of. Also you use the word 'shouldn't'. In codespeak that means that it is only a suggestion, not a requirement. Requirements are prefaced with the qualifier 'shall'.

 

[waltmcq]

call the fire department, have um stop by after they pick up the old person down the street.

 

[fireguy]

I have found most firemen know very little about fire notification/suppression devices. And, when they do give advice, it is not very accurate.

What you are reffering to as a smoke alarm is more properly a smoke alarm or single station smoke detector. In the trade, a smoke detector is an initiation device that activates the fire alarm system.

The reason smoke alarms are not installed in the 4" corner areas between the wall and ceiling is this area is a dead zone as far as smoke/heat movement is concerned.

The best guide to placement is the instruction sheet packaged with the smoke alarm. NFPA 72-2002 makes no mention of the specific distances to doors or windows. The most current edition is in the van, I am too lazy to go out in the cold to retrieve that standard.

 

[GMJim]

Further to fireguy's response and coming from a veteran 30+ year fire captain that does know a few things about smoke alarm placement, I would follow the advice given to you by fireguy but I would avoid places like just outside the bathroom where steam will cause false alarms or near the entrance to the kitchen where cooking vapors (not smoke) will cause false alarms and generally anywhere where there is fast moving air that will slow the response of an alarm if you have a fire. Eg. away from cold air return vents and heat vents etc. If possible I would place detectors on the ceiling near the center of the room or at the bottom and top of stair wells. If you have any doubt this will cause a problem I would TRY to temporarily install the detector to make sure it's not in a suspected false alarm area and you can move it a few inches to prevent them. Smoke alarm placement isn't really difficult if you haven't drilled any holes but a small piece of two sided tape (not the real sticky stuff that will pull the paint off the ceiling) will be a better bet if you're not sure of correct placement.
Jim
P.S. If in doubt check with your local fire department (Fire prevention division) for any code requirements in your area and placement advice.

 

[Ryland]

Thanks all. I was planning on setting the smoke detectors dead center on the door but I also need to take into account placement of the ceiling fan. I will look at the detectors instruction manual and see what it says about placement.