Where do I put smoke alarms in my house?

Where in a room should a smoke alarm be placed?

• Smoke, heat and other combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally.
• Mounting the smoke alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it closest to all points in the room.
• Ceiling mounting is preferred in ordinary residential construction.

Should smoke detectors be in every room of the house?

• Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.

Should smoke detectors be on the ceiling or wall?

• Ceiling mounting is typically preferred as it allows the smoke alarm to be placed more centrally in the room.
• If a wall mounting is used, it is best to use an inside wall to avoid thermal air currents that can occur along hot or cold walls.

How many smoke detectors should be in a house?

• The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home, including basements.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area.
• Larger homes may need extra detectors.

Should smoke detector be in bedroom or hallway?

• Smoke detectors should be placed inside the bedroom and just outside the bedroom areas, such as in a hallway.
• If you don’t have enough smoke detectors to place them everywhere, locate one outside the bedrooms in a spot where everyone sleeping could hear the alarm.

Should smoke detector be in bedroom or outside?

• According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Fire detectors should also be installed inside of every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area.

How far inside a bedroom should a smoke detector be?

• The NFPA recommends installing the smoke detector between 4 and 36 inches from the peak, where the two halves of the ceiling meet.

Do you need a smoke alarm in the kitchen?

• Every home must have one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most.
• One smoke alarm should be installed in every hallway and landing.
• One heat alarm should be installed in the kitchen.

What room should not have a smoke alarm?

• The bathroom should not have a smoke alarm as it can be set off by steam from the shower.
• Placing a smoke detector over the stove may seem like a good spot, but it is best avoided as dirt and grease can easily block the smoke detector’s sensor.

How far away from a bedroom door can a smoke detector be?

• The smoke detector in the bedroom area should be located in the hall or area outside the bedrooms.
• It should be within 10 feet of any bedroom door.

Does a dining room need a smoke detector?

• The householder should consider the use of additional smoke alarms for areas like the dining room for increased protection.
• The additional areas include the basement, bedroom areas, and any other areas where a fire hazard may be present.