Where Do You Install Smoke Detectors?


by Andy Electrician - Date: 2008-06-19 - Word Count: 324 Share This!

Local housing electrical codes vary from community to community, but smoke detectors must be placed four to twelve inches from the ceiling for a wall mount. A ceiling mounted smoke detector should be four inches from the closest wall. In rooms that have a pitch to the ceiling, mount the smoke detector at the highest point in the room. Smoke detectors are needed to alert you of impending danger of fire. If they are not placed in the right areas, they are useless. You need to check with your housing code to see the exact locations in your home that require a smoke detector.

You need to place smoke detectors within fifteen feet of all sleeping areas. New homes are required to have a smoke detector in every room where someone is sleeping. You should have a smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement. In the basement, you should have a smoke detector on the ceiling or wall near dryers, washers and furnaces. Remember to keep them away from air vents when installing the smoke detectors properly. Install one by the basement steps; this should not be located at the top of the stairs.

A few other things to remember about smoke detectors are that for them to work, you need to keep power to them. Even if the units are hard wired, you still need a battery backup. In the case of a fire and loss of power, you need the detectors to sound. If the units are battery operated, test the battery regularly and keep fresh batteries in the smoke detectors. Keep them free of dust and dirt by cleaning the outside and inside. By placing the smoke detectors around the home, you will ensure your families safety. Keep the batteries in the smoke detectors and never take one out because you have other smoke detectors that work. They are placed in areas that require a detector for safety.

 


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