GUIDELINES FOR SMOKE DETECTOR LOCATION
Smoke Detection.
Where to locate Smoke Detectors in Existing Construction.
The major threat from fire in a family living unit is at night when everyone is asleep. The principal threat to
persons in sleeping areas comes from fires in the remainder of the unit; therefore, smoke detector(s) are
best located between the bedroom areas and the rest of the unit. In units with only one bedroom area on
one floor, the smoke detector should be located as shown in Figure 1. In family living units with more
than one bedroom area or with bedrooms on more than one floor, more than one smoke detector will be
needed, as shown in Figure 2 and 3.
Smoke Detector Mounting - Dead Air Space.
The smoke from a fire generally rises to the ceiling, spreads out across the ceiling surface, and begins to
bank down from the ceiling. The corner where the ceiling and wall meet is an air space into which the
smoke may have difficulty penetrating. In most fires, this dead air space measures about 4 in. (0.1m)
along the ceiling from the corner and about 4 in. (0.1m) down the wall as shown in Figure 4. Detectors
should not be placed in this dead air space.
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Figure 3. A smoke detector should be located
on each storey.
Figure 4. A smoke detector should be located
on each storey.
Figure 1. A smoke detector should be located
between the sleeping area and the rest of the
family living unit.
Figure 2. In family living units with more than
one sleeping area, a smoke detector should
be provided to protect each sleeping area in
addition to detectors required in bedrooms.
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