Placement of Smoke Alarms

Install alarms on every level of your home – including the basement.

• Install an alarm outside each sleeping area. Make sure that everyone can clearly hear and recognize the sound of all smoke alarms at all times. If you sleep with bedroom doors closed, have a qualified electrician install interconnected smoke alarms in each bedroom so that when one sounds, they all sound
• Some studies have shown that children may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm. Know what your child will do before a fire occurs.
• On floors without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room and/or near the stairways to the upper level.
• Don’t install alarms closer than three feet from a bathroom door.
• Do not install alarms in locations where the temperature may be too low or too high
• Use a photoelectric type smoke alarm with a “hush” feature if it is located within 20 feet of the kitchen.
• Mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling because smoke rises.
• Wall Mounting – Position the top of the alarm 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.
• Ceiling Mounting – Position alarms at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall.
• In a room with a pitched ceiling, mount the alarm at, or near, the ceiling’s highest point.
• Basement alarms should be located near the stairway leading to the floor above.
• Do not mount an alarm within three feet of a forced-air supply register.