Smoke Alarm Placement
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m MART CHOICES a ign c ry pa ma MOKE ALARM m su m a P L A C E M E N T m y c gn y u s ar ai m- ar Smart Choices in Smoke Alarm Placement n p m u m g i m s mis where a um cam n Home a most npeople feel the safest – but it’s also where you are most c u g p i g s s i a a fatal m - fire. According to the National Fire Prevention tory experience p a m ca aign ary mpa aignlikely m(NFPA),su85 percent Association m y of all fire fatalities – close to 2,650 people a m r a p c p m a annually – occur in a home. Many of these deaths may have been prevented; n y fatalities m sum ry c am sumostarfire g m i mhappenam in the 29 percent of homes that either have a c n a n p n c u inoperable smoke alarms, or no alarms, the NFPA noted. g m g y i i g s m r ai um ma pa sum cam gn ary pa mi m of U.S. three-fourths s m am n rWhile u havery On average, families have y a amhomes s p c n c u g m a at least one working alarm, the question a n g s ry ai m remains u m y g m less than three minutes from r they i have enough a nass to whether n p a a a c m m g p 72surequires Model code NFPA m the time the g ai mm cam su ary alarms. i m y a m newly constructed homes to have hardr p interconnected first smoke a on gn malarms su y ca aismoke su ary aign mm amwired, y r nfloor, ainr hallways n m p su c each alarm sounds p and g minsidemofa all i u m m y a m m s thanm84 million to escape sleeping areas.a But more c m su y ca aign mar amphomes n u1993m– only – most builtgprior to u s y a fire. i s r r p c a have isolated batteryor electric-powered m a a n u n n pMillions sdo notighave ig more m m cam su ary aig smoke alarms. m a n a ofpbedrooms. inside ig mpa c umalarm y aign mm mp san m a r yput, cresidents a pwithout a p u ca gn Simply r a a sufficient a c m s y are of smoke alarms y working m n ry ai number a r m y r c a r a aprotected and atherefore at n c aig a mp umunder y m ig m r m increased risk. m s a a m p m m y c gn su m um su pa ary m u a s ar ai n Recent mbasedmon s identify m studies n that a u n n p aig construction s ig features ig yandc contents, m families g m may have less than three minutes i a m u n r a um ca p ig frompathe timep the first s a smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire (National Institute m m y n cThe s ry am pa aofmStandards a sooner n anaalarm r is heard,mthe- morecatime m am and g Technology). g i c i n c m pa ry a m ign ca ry g ma ry am y c therery is tosrespond. u p m a y a a c r a a m m u r p m a m n m a ain a home, ca typen ofs fiream ig youy ccan’t upredict m it is will start m ywhat su mm ary mm ummBecause a m u g c p arthat both s as quickly as r aiand flaming s smoldering fires m arendetected su mm su n s amimportant a y u n r p a andsionization photoelectric m Therefore, g technology – either in a n su gn ig c possible. g mmboth m i i a m n a mix of single technology alarms or a combination alarm -- is optimal. However, i pa ry su p su ca mm ig p n a thing is u to ensurea that there m are working UL-listed smoke ig mp m ma n the amost m important y p a n r s a c in living areas, inside bedrooms c aonigevery floor a ofnthe home, m inrhallways, a y c um aig yalarms y c a m and outside of sleeping areas. g y ar s mp ar mp um pai ry c a n ca m ca s m a mm m g i m um pa ary su ary aign y ca mm su m m gn m p Foramore information, u n visit www.SmartAlarmChoices.com a c m ai m am m r n s aig su mp su y c um aig mp
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m cam su ry m a n u y g m s ar ai m am n n p su c ig m g i m a um ca n ary pa p s y aig m am um y m ca aign ar mp um y c n s ar g m m m ca s arThe Bedroom: i p a mhalf (55%) m a ofigalln home fire fatalities occur in the bedroom. (USFA) m su ry ign m • More p than c u s m y (35%) a of the- victims were asleep at the time of the fire. a pa um ca• More than a rthird n n p a g g m s i of allmhomeafire between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., m fatalities um occur y awhen ai um cam gn ary • pHalf s r c asleep. mmostypeoplegare a (NFPA) n s ry ai m am• Since u m r s it is recommended to sleep with bedroom doors closed to assist in i n m p a spread a ofuamfire, itcais important g ma m um y c gnlimitingmthe n to place alarms within each p g i i a s s r athe decibel m casamthe shut - level of an alarm outside of doorrycan cut n p u um ry c ign ma mpa sbedroom a m g the room nearly (CPSC) i in halfm– fromam85 dbsuto 46 db. y y a a a m a n r r p u c g a mp um y c n a g m mmcam n s ary pai Kitchen: m a n s ar ai m c m g i • Cooking cause m p of home u m gthe leading y andaisinjuries y pa mm ca su fires i s r r m y United States, r a m u y gn ma p umin the a n a c g home sleading causeiof fire a n s ar ai m andamthe third m y a c n r c ai(NFPA) g a mp um y aig mm mp su • y deaths. 41% of reported fires s start in the m home r a a n p p m n u a c c m g in 15% n of homeufire m suresulting m n s ry ai m akitchen, g s ry ai n aig deaths. (NFPA) p c g m a a i n p at least p ig 20mfeet m alarms ig smoke m a pa mm cam n su ary • Install a m a p to prevent a y cappliances u alarms. c m scooking su ary aig mm am pfrom y nuisance Also ensure a ry thear r n n c p u a c g m m s y aigalarmmhas a hush button, will n a which y m 41% of reported home fires g r m m a n r temporarily halt the alarm m during a ai a p c u g m start in the kitchen, resulting a y i m su p ar in 15% s ry a m am nonemergency. m u u of home fire deaths. s s n am m p m a c m n u m u g s ign aig y c um NFPA mm y ca gn s ary pai Hallways: n r a p s located a arenoften p sleeping areas from the exits of a house, m furthest r ai mm am a• igBecause m a n m a m a - and on all exit g c g p that smoke be installed in the hallways i alarms c ais important i m m mp su y c m citroutes m a y a u p ar p m ca ryfrom bedrooms. s a gn ar ca ary• Install a m on the c m ceiling alarms hallway u outside of sleeping areas. n m a a g y pai mm ary m mm asmoke c i y um y c n s ary p ar s ar aig mm m su mm sum suLivingmArea: a c gn su n gn • caAlthoughmonlyig4%n of home pstartsinu the living room, family room, or den, m fires i m m i g a m firespcause 24% of deaths. a g(NFPA). n u u c s pa aign pai mpa ary • nthese s Smokingmis the leadingycause a ofi home fire fatalities, and most fatal smoking- a firesigbegin n inarthe family m ca mm ig related p room or den. (NFPA) c p a m a c y a m m oracarelessly discarded smoking materials ignite trash, r p abandoned a ry ary su mp • aTypically, c m m bedding or upholstery. u a n m y a a s m r m m aig y c um y c n a g m u r p r s i m Tips: Alarm Installation s m a n a a p • Install u one smoke alarm on each level or story of a multi-story m a c m aig mm amdwelling,atsleast inside and outside of sleeping areas, in hallways, and living/ n areas. g su mp su y c kitchen i ca aign ar mpa p mm ca For more information, visit www.SmartAlarmChoices.com su ary m
p yc p m a ar cam aign gn c y mm ry p pai n r a u a am m ig m m s c ca pa m m n y su aig su ar ary cam aign um s y p ign mm m y p m n r r up, nsmoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or g travels a Sinceaismoke g ca pa su sum ma c• am i m Mount a on the ceiling as close to the center as possible and m ign n m ry highp on amwall. p a m y from the wall. m aaway least four inches r sualarms a y c pa paig n su ma c • a atInstall feet away- from “sources of combustion particles” (stoves, n ry c 20 m m m ig um ary ifurnace, g a m that rycould cause nuisance alarms, such as in the c ca pa s m pa a waterumheater,suetc.) a m ns n m y am ign um am kitchen. m r m • Install g 10 feet away g from mbathrooms ca aigornother damp, humid areas. The steam ma ry c mpa n s ry c n s ucanpoften ai setpaoffi nuisance su ryalarms. - is below 40 or higher than 100 g n a a m • m Do not install ingareas where theptemperature i a g a m i c a aFahrenheit, i such mattic.suColderryor warmer temperatures might m c a asaan mmary mp umm mpa y c a degrees p c yoff false mandyshortengnthe life ofa the alarm’s r set alarms - battery. u r m a a m s a r s i c a a m m • The living smokeaalarm ashould m be installed the living room and/or c area a Theiingalarm n n m ary ign ry c mm mm p c u m g y near the stairway leading to the upper level. i m m s ry a - should not be located r a u a a a u a gn a s p p m in the p stairway. u c s i mm am mm gn s ign mm m m uthe attic m y area smoke alarm y • Smoke alarms should be placed attics; a min finished a s a n r r u c p c i c u g a a a ibe located n frommthe floor- below. (NFPA) in m the atticunear the stairway y a g m ry gn s mpa mp gn s ar • y should r s i a m n within 10 p The basement smoke alarm should be installed in the basement, a a c m m a i n a i m p u y inc theastairway. a ca c pa m cafeet of stheu stairway. y The should not be slocated ig - (NFPA) igalarmmm r p m a y m a r a the galarm n should n mon an open be p placedm on the p joists m ary ar am su ry • If iinstalled u ceiling, a c g s i m m u (NFPA) y pa mm ca s ry m y c gn ma pabottomumof thecjoists. a ithan n r m g a a m • If a hallway is more 30 feet install a unit at each n end.mSmoke m su ar ai m am n s ry a m along, u m y g r s i m p be placed atc the top of the afirst-to-second p su c igalarms should a malso a umfloor cstairway, m m a n n p m u m g m y y and at the bottom of the basement stairway. (Kidde recommendation) g um ca gn ar pa m ca s ar ai m m s ry in dusty, n mdirty or greasy s ry ai m am • sDou not rinstall p sareas u – orcanearigairn vents,a ceiling fans y g i n m p other the smoke mthe smoke alarm, y away a drafty a from a areasum(draftscacan blow g ma m um y c gn orpreventing n r p p g m m a the alarm from sounding). a s ar ai m m s ry ai m am su c m a gn install importantly, alarms toc manufacturer’s instructions in p according a c m n su ary aign mm amp n s• uMost i m u the owner’s manual. g m y y a i a s r r p m c p u c g a a mmcam n s ary pai ma cam su ary aign mm mp g m m um y gn m p Always a i c u y remember: a i a s s m notn last forever. a ualarms m cado ar mp um y c gn mar pSmoke ry Replace smoke alarms a g s r i themmanufacturer’s recommendations a n s a ai m am innaccordance y a c with r p p y aig mm m su y c aigor atmaleastmevery u10myears. Additionally, test smoke a gn ar p m ca n s alarms monthly. p u c s am ign ary pai mm cam su ary aig n p pa mm cam n su ary aig mm am su ary aig mm amp su ry c m mp su y c aign ma ca aign ar mp um p mm ca n s su ary aig For more information, visit www.SmartAlarmChoices.com m mp ca
m MART CHOICES a ign c ry pa ma MOKE ALARM m su m a P L A C E M E N T m y c gn y u s ar ai m- ar Smart Choices in Smoke Alarm Placement n p m u m g i m s mis where a um cam n Home a most npeople feel the safest – but it’s also where you are most c u g p i g s s i a a fatal m - fire. According to the National Fire Prevention tory experience p a m ca aign ary mpa aignlikely m(NFPA),su85 percent Association m y of all fire fatalities – close to 2,650 people a m r a p c p m a annually – occur in a home. Many of these deaths may have been prevented; n y fatalities m sum ry c am sumostarfire g m i mhappenam in the 29 percent of homes that either have a c n a n p n c u inoperable smoke alarms, or no alarms, the NFPA noted. g m g y i i g s m r ai um ma pa sum cam gn ary pa mi m of U.S. three-fourths s m am n rWhile u havery On average, families have y a amhomes s p c n c u g m a at least one working alarm, the question a n g s ry ai m remains u m y g m less than three minutes from r they i have enough a nass to whether n p a a a c m m g p 72surequires Model code NFPA m the time the g ai mm cam su ary alarms. i m y a m newly constructed homes to have hardr p interconnected first smoke a on gn malarms su y ca aismoke su ary aign mm amwired, y r nfloor, ainr hallways n m p su c each alarm sounds p and g minsidemofa all i u m m y a m m s thanm84 million to escape sleeping areas.a But more c m su y ca aign mar amphomes n u1993m– only – most builtgprior to u s y a fire. i s r r p c a have isolated batteryor electric-powered m a a n u n n pMillions sdo notighave ig more m m cam su ary aig smoke alarms. m a n a ofpbedrooms. inside ig mpa c umalarm y aign mm mp san m a r yput, cresidents a pwithout a p u ca gn Simply r a a sufficient a c m s y are of smoke alarms y working m n ry ai number a r m y r c a r a aprotected and atherefore at n c aig a mp umunder y m ig m r m increased risk. m s a a m p m m y c gn su m um su pa ary m u a s ar ai n Recent mbasedmon s identify m studies n that a u n n p aig construction s ig features ig yandc contents, m families g m may have less than three minutes i a m u n r a um ca p ig frompathe timep the first s a smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire (National Institute m m y n cThe s ry am pa aofmStandards a sooner n anaalarm r is heard,mthe- morecatime m am and g Technology). g i c i n c m pa ry a m ign ca ry g ma ry am y c therery is tosrespond. u p m a y a a c r a a m m u r p m a m n m a ain a home, ca typen ofs fiream ig youy ccan’t upredict m it is will start m ywhat su mm ary mm ummBecause a m u g c p arthat both s as quickly as r aiand flaming s smoldering fires m arendetected su mm su n s amimportant a y u n r p a andsionization photoelectric m Therefore, g technology – either in a n su gn ig c possible. g mmboth m i i a m n a mix of single technology alarms or a combination alarm -- is optimal. However, i pa ry su p su ca mm ig p n a thing is u to ensurea that there m are working UL-listed smoke ig mp m ma n the amost m important y p a n r s a c in living areas, inside bedrooms c aonigevery floor a ofnthe home, m inrhallways, a y c um aig yalarms y c a m and outside of sleeping areas. g y ar s mp ar mp um pai ry c a n ca m ca s m a mm m g i m um pa ary su ary aign y ca mm su m m gn m p Foramore information, u n visit www.SmartAlarmChoices.com a c m ai m am m r n s aig su mp su y c um aig mp
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m cam su ry m a n u y g m s ar ai m am n n p su c ig m g i m a um ca n ary pa p s y aig m am um y m ca aign ar mp um y c n s ar g m m m ca s arThe Bedroom: i p a mhalf (55%) m a ofigalln home fire fatalities occur in the bedroom. (USFA) m su ry ign m • More p than c u s m y (35%) a of the- victims were asleep at the time of the fire. a pa um ca• More than a rthird n n p a g g m s i of allmhomeafire between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., m fatalities um occur y awhen ai um cam gn ary • pHalf s r c asleep. mmostypeoplegare a (NFPA) n s ry ai m am• Since u m r s it is recommended to sleep with bedroom doors closed to assist in i n m p a spread a ofuamfire, itcais important g ma m um y c gnlimitingmthe n to place alarms within each p g i i a s s r athe decibel m casamthe shut - level of an alarm outside of doorrycan cut n p u um ry c ign ma mpa sbedroom a m g the room nearly (CPSC) i in halfm– fromam85 dbsuto 46 db. y y a a a m a n r r p u c g a mp um y c n a g m mmcam n s ary pai Kitchen: m a n s ar ai m c m g i • Cooking cause m p of home u m gthe leading y andaisinjuries y pa mm ca su fires i s r r m y United States, r a m u y gn ma p umin the a n a c g home sleading causeiof fire a n s ar ai m andamthe third m y a c n r c ai(NFPA) g a mp um y aig mm mp su • y deaths. 41% of reported fires s start in the m home r a a n p p m n u a c c m g in 15% n of homeufire m suresulting m n s ry ai m akitchen, g s ry ai n aig deaths. (NFPA) p c g m a a i n p at least p ig 20mfeet m alarms ig smoke m a pa mm cam n su ary • Install a m a p to prevent a y cappliances u alarms. c m scooking su ary aig mm am pfrom y nuisance Also ensure a ry thear r n n c p u a c g m m s y aigalarmmhas a hush button, will n a which y m 41% of reported home fires g r m m a n r temporarily halt the alarm m during a ai a p c u g m start in the kitchen, resulting a y i m su p ar in 15% s ry a m am nonemergency. m u u of home fire deaths. s s n am m p m a c m n u m u g s ign aig y c um NFPA mm y ca gn s ary pai Hallways: n r a p s located a arenoften p sleeping areas from the exits of a house, m furthest r ai mm am a• igBecause m a n m a m a - and on all exit g c g p that smoke be installed in the hallways i alarms c ais important i m m mp su y c m citroutes m a y a u p ar p m ca ryfrom bedrooms. s a gn ar ca ary• Install a m on the c m ceiling alarms hallway u outside of sleeping areas. n m a a g y pai mm ary m mm asmoke c i y um y c n s ary p ar s ar aig mm m su mm sum suLivingmArea: a c gn su n gn • caAlthoughmonlyig4%n of home pstartsinu the living room, family room, or den, m fires i m m i g a m firespcause 24% of deaths. a g(NFPA). n u u c s pa aign pai mpa ary • nthese s Smokingmis the leadingycause a ofi home fire fatalities, and most fatal smoking- a firesigbegin n inarthe family m ca mm ig related p room or den. (NFPA) c p a m a c y a m m oracarelessly discarded smoking materials ignite trash, r p abandoned a ry ary su mp • aTypically, c m m bedding or upholstery. u a n m y a a s m r m m aig y c um y c n a g m u r p r s i m Tips: Alarm Installation s m a n a a p • Install u one smoke alarm on each level or story of a multi-story m a c m aig mm amdwelling,atsleast inside and outside of sleeping areas, in hallways, and living/ n areas. g su mp su y c kitchen i ca aign ar mpa p mm ca For more information, visit www.SmartAlarmChoices.com su ary m
p yc p m a ar cam aign gn c y mm ry p pai n r a u a am m ig m m s c ca pa m m n y su aig su ar ary cam aign um s y p ign mm m y p m n r r up, nsmoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or g travels a Sinceaismoke g ca pa su sum ma c• am i m Mount a on the ceiling as close to the center as possible and m ign n m ry highp on amwall. p a m y from the wall. m aaway least four inches r sualarms a y c pa paig n su ma c • a atInstall feet away- from “sources of combustion particles” (stoves, n ry c 20 m m m ig um ary ifurnace, g a m that rycould cause nuisance alarms, such as in the c ca pa s m pa a waterumheater,suetc.) a m ns n m y am ign um am kitchen. m r m • Install g 10 feet away g from mbathrooms ca aigornother damp, humid areas. The steam ma ry c mpa n s ry c n s ucanpoften ai setpaoffi nuisance su ryalarms. - is below 40 or higher than 100 g n a a m • m Do not install ingareas where theptemperature i a g a m i c a aFahrenheit, i such mattic.suColderryor warmer temperatures might m c a asaan mmary mp umm mpa y c a degrees p c yoff false mandyshortengnthe life ofa the alarm’s r set alarms - battery. u r m a a m s a r s i c a a m m • The living smokeaalarm ashould m be installed the living room and/or c area a Theiingalarm n n m ary ign ry c mm mm p c u m g y near the stairway leading to the upper level. i m m s ry a - should not be located r a u a a a u a gn a s p p m in the p stairway. u c s i mm am mm gn s ign mm m m uthe attic m y area smoke alarm y • Smoke alarms should be placed attics; a min finished a s a n r r u c p c i c u g a a a ibe located n frommthe floor- below. (NFPA) in m the atticunear the stairway y a g m ry gn s mpa mp gn s ar • y should r s i a m n within 10 p The basement smoke alarm should be installed in the basement, a a c m m a i n a i m p u y inc theastairway. a ca c pa m cafeet of stheu stairway. y The should not be slocated ig - (NFPA) igalarmmm r p m a y m a r a the galarm n should n mon an open be p placedm on the p joists m ary ar am su ry • If iinstalled u ceiling, a c g s i m m u (NFPA) y pa mm ca s ry m y c gn ma pabottomumof thecjoists. a ithan n r m g a a m • If a hallway is more 30 feet install a unit at each n end.mSmoke m su ar ai m am n s ry a m along, u m y g r s i m p be placed atc the top of the afirst-to-second p su c igalarms should a malso a umfloor cstairway, m m a n n p m u m g m y y and at the bottom of the basement stairway. (Kidde recommendation) g um ca gn ar pa m ca s ar ai m m s ry in dusty, n mdirty or greasy s ry ai m am • sDou not rinstall p sareas u – orcanearigairn vents,a ceiling fans y g i n m p other the smoke mthe smoke alarm, y away a drafty a from a areasum(draftscacan blow g ma m um y c gn orpreventing n r p p g m m a the alarm from sounding). a s ar ai m m s ry ai m am su c m a gn install importantly, alarms toc manufacturer’s instructions in p according a c m n su ary aign mm amp n s• uMost i m u the owner’s manual. g m y y a i a s r r p m c p u c g a a mmcam n s ary pai ma cam su ary aign mm mp g m m um y gn m p Always a i c u y remember: a i a s s m notn last forever. a ualarms m cado ar mp um y c gn mar pSmoke ry Replace smoke alarms a g s r i themmanufacturer’s recommendations a n s a ai m am innaccordance y a c with r p p y aig mm m su y c aigor atmaleastmevery u10myears. Additionally, test smoke a gn ar p m ca n s alarms monthly. p u c s am ign ary pai mm cam su ary aig n p pa mm cam n su ary aig mm am su ary aig mm amp su ry c m mp su y c aign ma ca aign ar mp um p mm ca n s su ary aig For more information, visit www.SmartAlarmChoices.com m mp ca
