Where Should Smoke Detectors Be Placed?
Smoke Detector Placement
Fire can spread extremely fast. In just minutes, a building can be fully engulfed in flames. Smoke detectors are critical to give people inside homes and commercial buildings early warnings so they have time to get out. Proper smoke detector placement is also key when it comes to keeping your home or business safe.
Residential Smoke Detector Placements
At a minimum, The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends that smoke detectors be placed:
- Inside every sleeping room
- Outside every sleeping room
- On every level of your home, including the basement
Additionally, the NFPA recommends the installation of smoke alarms near the stairways leading to different levels of your home and at least 10 feet from cooking appliances. The NFPA also suggests interconnecting all smoke alarms, so when one alarm sounds, they all sound. This can be done with hard-wiring or wireless technology. It’s recommended that you test your smoke alarms at least once a month and replace them every 10 years. Dead batteries caused one-quarter (26%) of the smoke alarm failures
There are two types of smoke alarms that are used in residential homes – ionization and photoelectric. For the best protection, a combination ionization-photoelectric warning, known as a dual-sensor smoke alarm, is recommended. Make sure the detector is approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), which sets strict testing and safety requirements.
Commercial Smoke Detector Placements
In commercial buildings, the location of smoke detectors are set by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ is defined as the organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, and for approving equipment, materials, installation, or a procedure.
Fire codes and standards are based on the codes and standards of the NFPA. However, there can be many differences between AHJs in how the codes are enforced and what codes are enforced. Many times, fire alarm systems require the approval of multiple jurisdictions (local, state, and joint commission). There are also federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and inspections to be considered, and OSHA inspectors can override the local AHJ.
Smoke Detector Testing & Maintenance
Once your smoke detectors are installed, it’s critical to test them regularly and maintain them.
For residential smoke detectors, the NFPA recommends that you:
- Test smoke detectors every month.
- Change the smoke detector batteries every year.
- Replace your smoke detectors every ten years.
For commercial buildings, inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements will also be set by the AHJ. In order to test industrial smoke detectors, you must be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) or licensed by the state.
Smoke Detectors Save Lives
According to data from the NFPA, nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes without smoke detectors or without working smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are one of the most critical parts of a home safety system.
At FSS Technologies, our fire alarm system designers and installers are NICET certified. We understand the nuances of installing fire alarms in most jurisdictions. If your home or business needs a fire safety system, contact us for a free consultation.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Why Emergency and Exit Lighting Matter
Emergency lighting and exit lighting are vital components of life safety systems. They’re a standard part of any commercial structure and not as noticeable on a normal day. When power fails or a disaster happens, these lights guide people to safety, helping prevent panic and ensuring clear evacuation routes for everyone in a building. Whether…
Who Are the Best Security Companies in Indiana?
Finding the right company to install and monitor the security in your home (or business) is an important choice. You need to know and trust the people who will be responsible for keeping you safe. In Indiana, we know that there are many teams ready and capable of protecting your home and business. To help…
7 Tips For Small Business Security
We hope it never happens to you, but workplace crime is something that all business owners should be prepared to encounter. With one-third of our life spent at work, it is an important place to secure and monitor for your safety, and that of your employees. Luckily, there are many simple, proactive steps you can…
Will CCTV Work Without Internet?
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is a TV system where the signal isn’t publicly broadcast but is watched and monitored, usually for surveillance and security purposes. From city streets and highways to retail stores and banks, CCTV cameras are placed in most places to protect property and deter crime. Learn whether a commercial CCTV system can work…
How Landscaping Affects Your Security
Visibility When it comes to the landscaping around your home or business, there are several considerations to keep in mind that could affect your visibility and overall security. While some suggestions to increase visibility and reduce obstructions may seem obvious, others are more subtle and could have a considerable impact. Lighting Having adequate lighting around…
What Do Villages Require to Add a Security System?
What Is a Village? A village in the United States is defined as a small municipality with limited corporate powers. A village government usually consists of a village board made up of trustees and a village president. Village Building Codes Have Minimum Requirements Every village adopts its own building codes to establish minimum requirements for…
How Do Fire Alarm Control Panels Work
A fire alarm control panel is the brain of any commercial fire system. It constantly monitors connected devices, processes signals, and activates alarms when necessary. Understanding how a control panel works can help business owners, facility managers, and safety professionals recognize just how vital this piece of equipment is in protecting people and property. What…
Can a Security System Save My Business Money?
If you’re a business owner, you know the importance of weighing the pros and cons of major purchases before making them. A commercial security system is one of the higher-ticket items that can cause the most significant hesitation. While they can take large investments to purchase, install, and maintain, security systems can offer long-term savings…
How Video Doorbells Work
A video doorbell is a system that allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell by way of a video connection. If your video doorbell has a two-way audio system, you also can talk to the person at the front door, whether you’re home or not. How you connect your system and how you…
Items Burglars Want Most
Burglars move quickly. Because they tend to spend as little as ten minutes inside a home or business, several big-ticket items tend to fall prey to thieves. While some items on our list come to mind instantly, some may be more subtle. Outside of installing a security system, taking extra steps to secure your items…