Smoke detectors are ideal for offices, houses, malls, hospitals, and hotels and they should be placed at every level of your house even basements. We will discuss at what location you should prefer installing smoke detectors.
Where Should Smoke Alarms Not Be Placed?
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1. Bathrooms
Steam from the water geysers can also produce annoying noise and that’s why photoelectric smoke alarms should be used and they should be placed within 20 feet of a bathroom.
2. Near Cooking Appliances
It’s been advised to not install smoke alarms near cooking appliances as high concentrations of smoke from pressure cookers can give false alerts.
Smoke alarms should be placed 10 feet away from cooking appliances such as stoves, ovens, pressure cookers, etc, to minimize the chances of false chances.
It is usually recommended to install smoke alarms on walls or ceilings but they should not be placed more than 12 inches away from the ceilings.
3. Garages
The fumes and smoke from cars can cause damage to the sensors of the smoke detectors and it produces false alarms due to the constant change in temperature and temperature.
Heat detectors should be used for garages and smoke alarms should be used only when the garage is attached to shared doors and walls.
4. Unfinished Attics
Smoke detectors need to be placed where there are fewer chances of heat, dust, and fumes.
Dust particles and smoke from unfinished attics can destroy the sensors of the smoke detectors.
It is advised to install heat detectors or system sensor smoke alarms for unfinished attics as they are designed for dusty environments
5. Near Fluorescent Light
Smoke alarms should not be placed near fluorescent alarms as they could produce false nuisance alarms and excessively hot light which can affect the sensors of smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms should not be placed closer than 1 foot from the fluorescent light.
6. In Dead Air Areas
Dead air areas can block the smoke from entering the smoke alarm, so it is advised to install smoke detectors much closer in the middle of the ceiling.
Smoke alarms should be installed at a height between 500mm and 1500mm from the middle of the ceiling.
Where Should Smoke Alarms Be Placed?
One of the questions that are been regularly asked by most customers is where should the smoke alarms be placed.
1. In Bedrooms
Smoke alarms should be installed inside every bedroom and they should be installed within 15 feet of the sleeping areas such as beds and sofas. Photoelectric and ionisation smoke alarms should be installed for advanced security in every bedroom.
2. In the Kitchen
Installing smoke alarms in a kitchen is equally important as it ensures your safety and protection but they should be installed 3 metres away from the cooking appliances to reduce the chances of false alerts.
While on the flat walls, smoke detectors should be placed at a height of 4-12 inches perpendicular to the floor.
3. On The Main Floors Of The House
Installing smoke detectors on the main floors of the house is a crucial part of your house’s safety.
It is usually advised to install many detectors in your house as it allows the detector to interact with each other and provide the best results that can benefit you.
4. On Stairways
Placing a smoke alarm on the stairways is very important as it alerts the family members whenever there is any chance of danger in the house.
Each staircase should have smoke detectors even including the basements and ceilings of the floors.
How Far Away From The Wall Should A Smoke Detector Be?
One of the main questions that most people have is how far away from the wall should a smoke detector be placed.
It is usually recommended to install smoke alarms at 4 inches from the corner of the wall and it would be better if it is installed between 4 inches and 12 inches from the ceiling line of the wall.
If the ceiling of your wall is peaked, install the smoke detector between 4 and 12 inches from the ceiling line of the wall.
It is done to prevent dead air from entering the detector which can affect the operational functioning of your smoke detector.
Install the smoke detector as close to the middle of the ceiling and if possible, install the detector in such a way that both the ceiling and wall meet closely.
If you are having a sloped ceiling at your house, it should be installed at a point between 500mm and 1500 mm from the top of the ceiling.
How Do You Put Smoke And A Heat Detector?
Smoke alarms are ideal for offices, houses, malls and hospitals, Whereas, on the other hand, a heat detector detects the high concentration of heat and even gas leaks.
Heat detectors are ideal for the kitchen, laundry, garage and boiler rooms.
Ideal positions for smoke alarms and heat detectors are as follows:
- Smoke detectors should be installed on the ceiling of the room as centrally as possible.
- Heat alarms should be installed in the centre of a room such as a kitchen or a garage.
- In the case of peaked ceilings, smoke alarms should be placed vertically at a height of 600 mm.
Whereas, heat alarms should be installed vertically down at a height of 150 mm.
- It is usually recommended to install heat alarms at a distance less than 5.3 m from the doors.
- Heat alarms should be installed on a wall.
- Heat and smoke detectors should not be placed too close to the fireplace, instead, they should be installed opposite to the fireplace.
Final Talk
Smoke and heat detectors are the best home security devices when it comes to preventing you from danger. You should get an easily operated smoke detector for your home to avoid any hassle.
Managing these devices is very easy and the manufacturer’s instructions should be read carefully if you want to keep your detector safe and last for a lifetime. Also always choose an easily operated smoke detector for hearing impaired people around you.
Proper installation of these detectors is also important, make sure that the wiring is done properly by a professional electrician.
A smoke detector should not be installed near the doors and windows as it can lead to damage to the sensors
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