Potter Fire Alarm Systems - Manual (Page 20)

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Fire Alarm Training • 8700055 • Rev F • 4/10
Residential Smoke Detector Requirements
Smoke detectors are required in all residential occupancies. Over 80% of all fire deaths occur in residential occupancies. All
residential occupancies need a minimum of a single station smoke detector on each floor of the building. At a minimum these
devices are to battery operated, however it is preferred that they are powered from line voltage and have a battery back up. The
problem with the batteries is that the reliability of the device relies on intervention of the homeowner/occupant.
In new construction, smoke detectors are required on all levels of the home, in each bedroom and within ten feet of each
bedroom door. High ceilings with a slope greater than 1 foot in 8 feet must have a detector installed in the high side of the room.
This includes vaulted and cathedral type ceilings. Garages, crawl spaces and unfinished attics are exempt from smoke detector
requirements due to the high probability of false alarms. The detectors are not listed to operate in these types of environments.
Smoke detectors installed in basement should be installed in close proximity to the stairs due to the fact that smoke has a tendency
to travel upward. The smoke detectors are required to have primary power from line voltage and required to have a battery back
up. The batteries still have to be changed and are recommended to be changed twice a year. Smoke detectors in new residential
occupancies are required to be interconnected so that when one sounds, all of the devices sound.
Some installation errors reduce the reliability of smoke detectors due to frequent false and nuisance alarms. Smoke detectors installed
in or near kitchens, garages and bathrooms often false alarm due to fluctuations in the environment. Smoke detectors can not tell
the difference between engine exhaust and smoke from a fire. In addition, smoke detectors in kitchens will detect the by-products of
cooking and will activate unintentionally. Similarly, steam from bathrooms will set detectors in hallways off. In addition, if smoke
detectors are installed in areas where the temperature is too low or too high, the device will not operate as intended. Smoke detectors
installed to close to air diffusers and HVAC vents will cause unwanted alarms due to dirt entering the detector.
A majority of the smoke detectors installed in residential occupancies utilize the ionization chamber method of smoke detection.
In some cases these devices have been found to not have response times that are deemed acceptable. Because of this, some states
and local jurisdictions have adopted codes that require either a photoelectric smoke detector or dual technology device that
utilizes a photoelectric and ionization principle smoke detection.
Smoke Detectors Locations New Construction
Smoke Detectors are required in every bedroom and outside of the bedroom in the immediate vicinity. If the bedrooms are
separated a detector must be installed outside of each area of the home that has bedrooms.
DINING ROOM KITCHEN BEDROOM DEN
BEDROOM LIVING ROOM BEDROOM
DWG# 55-6
= SMOKE DETECTOR LOCATION