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Where Not to Install
Do NOT locate this Smoke/CO Alarm:
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In garages, furnace rooms, crawl spaces and unfinished attics. Avoid extremely dusty, dirty or greasy areas.
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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 meter) 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
recommendations 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.
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Within 5 feet (1.5 meters) of any cooking appliance. In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking
smoke into the smoke sensor and cause unwanted alarms.
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In extremely humid areas. This Alarm should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a shower, sauna, humidifier,
vaporizer, dishwasher, laundry room, utility room, or other source of high humidity.
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In direct sunlight.
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In turbulent air, near ceiling fans or open windows. Blowing air may prevent CO/smoke from reaching the
sensors.
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In areas where temperature is colder than 40˚ F (4.4˚C) or hotter than 100˚ F (37.8˚C). These areas include
non air conditioned crawl spaces, unfinished attics, uninsulated or poorly insulated ceilings, porches, and
garages.
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In insect infested areas. Insects can clog the openings to sensing chamber.
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Less than 12 inches (305 mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.
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In “dead air” spaces. See below for additional information.
Installing Smoke/CO Alarms in Mobile Homes
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke/CO Alarm. To avoid dead air spaces, follow
installation recommendations below.
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On ceilings, install Smoke/CO Alarms as close to the center of the ceiling as possible. If this is not possible,
install the Smoke/CO Alarm at least 4 inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.
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For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Smoke/CO Alarms should be placed
between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.
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On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install first Smoke/CO Alarm within 3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak
of the ceiling, measured horizontally. Additional Smoke/CO 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.
