First Alert SA340 - Manual (Page 5)

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS IN MOBILE HOMES & RVS
For minimum security install one Smoke Alarm as close to each sleeping
area as possible. For more security, put one unit in each room. Many
older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no
insulation. If your mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure
of the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on inside walls
only. Smoke Alarms should be installed where temperatures normally
remain between 40˚ F (4˚ C) and 100˚ F (38˚ C). WARNING: Test units
used in RVs after the vehicle has been in storage, before every trip,
and once a week while in use. Failure to test units used in RVs as
described may remove your protection.
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
NFPA 72 (National Fire Code) Chapter 11
“For your information, the National Fire Protection Association's
Standard 72, reads as follows:”
“11.5.1 One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units.”
“11.5.1.1 Smoke Detection. Where required by applicable laws, codes,
or standards for the specified occupancy, approved single- and multiple
-station Smoke Alarms shall be installed as follows: (1) In all sleeping
rooms. Exception: Smoke Alarms shall not be required in sleeping
rooms in existing one- and two-family dwelling units. (2) Outside of
each separate sleeping area, in immediate vicinity of the sleeping
rooms. (3) On each level of the dwelling unit, including basements.
Exception: In existing one- and two family dwelling units, approved
Smoke Alarms powered by batteries are permitted.”
“A.11.8.3 Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number
of Smoke Alarms might not provide reliable early warning protection
for those areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the
required Smoke Alarms. For this reason, it is recommended that the
householder consider the use of additional Smoke Alarms for those
areas for increased protection. The additional areas include the base-
ment, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways
not protected by the required Smoke Alarms. The installation of Smoke
Alarms in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not
normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experience
conditions that can result in improper operation.”
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detec-
tion equipment in all rooms and areas of the household as follows: A
Smoke Alarm installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but
outside bedrooms), and Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living rooms, din-
ing rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, finished attics, furnace rooms,
closets, utility and storage rooms, basements, and attached garages.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR SMOKE ALARMS
For best performance, AVOID installing Smoke Alarms in these areas:
•
Where combustion particles are produced. Combustion particles
form when something burns. Areas to avoid include poorly ventilated
kitchens, garages, and furnace rooms. Keep units at least 20 feet
(6 meters) from the sources of combustion particles (stove, furnace,
water heater, space heater) if possible. In areas where a 20-foot
(6 m) distance is not possible – in modular, mobile, or smaller
homes, for example – it is recommended the Smoke Alarm be
placed as far from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The
placement recommendations are intended to keep these Alarms at
a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source, and thus reduce
“unwanted” alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if a Smoke Alarm
is placed directly next to a fuel-burning source. Ventilate these
areas as much as possible.
• In air streams near kitchens. Air currents can draw cooking smoke
into the sensing chamber of a Smoke Alarm near the kitchen.
• In very damp, humid or steamy areas, or directly near bathrooms
with showers. Keep units at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from
showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc.
• Where the temperatures are regularly below 40˚ F (4˚ C) or above
100˚ F (38˚ C), including unheated buildings, outdoor rooms, porches,
or unfinished attics or basements.
• In very dusty, dirty, or greasy areas. Do not install a Smoke Alarm
directly over the stove or range. Clean a laundry room unit frequently
to keep it free of dust or lint.
• Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can
blow smoke away from the unit, preventing it from reaching the
sensing chamber.
• In insect infested areas. Insects can clog openings to the sensing
chamber and cause unwanted alarms.
• Less than 12 inches (305mm) away from fluorescent lights.
Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.
• In “dead air” spaces. “Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from
reaching the Smoke Alarm.
Avoiding Dead Air Spaces
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from reaching the Smoke Alarm.
To avoid dead air spaces, follow the installation recommendations below.
On ceilings, install Smoke Alarms as close to the center of the ceiling
as possible. If this is not possible, install the Smoke Alarm at least
4 inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.
For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Smoke
Alarms should be placed between 4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305
mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install the first Smoke
Alarm within 3 feet (0.9 meters) of the peak of the ceiling, measured
horizontally. Additional Smoke Alarms may be required depending on
the length, angle, etc. of the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for
details on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
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ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS
Battery or DC operated Smoke Alarms: Provide protection even
when electricity fails, provided the batteries or battery packs are fresh
and correctly installed or activated. Units are easy to install, and do not
require professional installation.
AC powered Smoke Alarms: Can be interconnected so if one unit
senses smoke, all units alarm. They do not operate if electricity fails.
AC with battery (DC) back-up: will operate if electricity fails, provided
the batteries are fresh and correctly installed. AC and AC/DC units
must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Smoke Alarms for Solar or Wind Energy users and battery backup
power systems: AC powered Smoke Alarms should only be operated
with true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating this Smoke Alarm with
most battery-powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply) products or
square wave or “quasi sine wave” inverters will damage the Alarm.
If you are not sure about your inverter or UPS type, please consult with
the manufacturer to verify.
Smoke Alarms for the hearing impaired: Special purpose Smoke
Alarms should be installed for the hearing impaired. They include a
visual alarm and an audible alarm horn, and meet the requirements of
the Americans With Disabilities Act. Can be interconnected so if one
unit senses smoke, all units alarm.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards unless the
combination has been evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
All these Smoke Alarms are designed to provide early warning of fires if
located, installed and cared for as described in the user’s manual, and if
smoke reaches them. If you are unsure which type of unit to install, refer
to Chapter 2 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard
72 (National Fire Alarm Code) and NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code).
National Fire Protection Association, One Batterymarch Park, Quincy,
MA 02269-9101. Local building codes may also require specific units in
new construction or in different areas of the home.