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23

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, the use of additional smoke 

alarms for those areas is recommended for 

increased protection  The additional areas 

include the dining 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 because these 

locations occasionally experience conditions 

that can result in improper operation  As Nest 

Protect is also a carbon monoxide alarm, we do 

not recommend installing it in a boiler room or 

a utility room if it contains a water heater or a 

boiler  It should be 5–6 m (15–20 ft) from these 

appliances to avoid transient conditions and/or 

perceived nuisance alarms 

WHERE NOT TO INSTALL YOUR SMOKE ALARMS

For best performance, AVOID installing a smoke 

alarm in these areas:

• 

Where combustion particles are produced.

Burning material creates combustion particles 

that could cause your smoke alarm to go 

off unnecessarily  Areas to avoid include 

poorly ventilated kitchens, garages, boats, 

recreational vehicles and boiler rooms  Keep 

a smoke alarm at least 6 metres (20 feet) from 

the source of combustion particles (cooker, 

boiler, water heater, space heater), if possible  

In areas where a 6-metre (20-foot) distance 

is not possible – in mobile or smaller homes, 

for example – we recommend placing a smoke 

alarm as far from these fuel-burning sources 

as possible  The placement recommendations 

are intended to keep a smoke detector at 

a reasonable distance from a fuel- burning 

source, reducing “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 

• 

In air streams near kitchens.

 Air currents 

can draw cooking smoke into the sensor of 

a smoke alarm near the kitchen 

• 

In very damp, humid or steamy areas, or very 

near bathrooms with showers. 

Keep a smoke 

alarm at least 3 metres (10 feet) away from 

showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc 

• 

Where temperatures are regularly below 

5 °C (41 °F) or above 45 °C (113 °F), 

including 

unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, porches, 

or unfinished attics or cellars 

• 

In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas.

 Do not 

install a smoke alarm directly over the cooker 

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 a smoke alarm, preventing it from 

reaching the sensor 

• 

In insect-infested areas. 

Insects can 

clog openings to the sensor and cause 

unwanted alarms 

• 

Less than 30.5 cm (12 in) away from 

fluorescent lights.

 Electrical “noise” can 

interfere with the sensor 

• 

In “dead-air” spaces.

 “Dead-air” spaces may 

prevent smoke from reaching a smoke alarm