Where to locate smoke detectors?

[cqcn88]

Is there a residential building code governing proper location of smoke detectors in non-rental houses? I found the Indiana code for rental properties but the language didn't seem to apply to non-rentals. Thanks in advance.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Not sure on code but almost every house I have been in has had them placed high near or above the door of every bedroom, placed high in each stairwell, and near the kitchen but not directly above cooking appliances (burned food causes many false alarms which leads to disabling of the kitchen smoke alarm so people started locating them further from the cooking to reduce false alarms).

 

[lizerdking]

When we built our house (3 years ago) the Inspector had me place them:

1 in every bedroom
1 near the kitchen, we have an open area livingroom/kitchen
1 in the basement

They all must be tied together, same circuit with the extra wire to signal them all to go off together, with battery backup. Didn't care which type of smoke detector they were.


Indiana Code 22-11-18

 

[clemracer]

By each bedroom and the hallway - about 6 inches from the ceiling as the smoke banks down - I'm a retired firefighter and that is what we always suggest.

I forgot to post - on each floor as well (basement, main floor, second floor, etc.).

 

[actaeon277]

When we built our house (3 years ago) the Inspector had me place them:

1 in every bedroom
1 near the kitchen, we have an open area livingroom/kitchen
1 in the basement

They all must be tied together, same circuit with the extra wire to signal them all to go off together, with battery backup. Didn't care which type of smoke detector they were.


Indiana Code 22-11-18

IC 22-11-18-3.5
Dwellings; installation of smoke detectors
Sec. 3.5. (a) This section only applies to dwellings.
(b) A rule or an ordinance is not voided or limited by this section if the rule or ordinance:
(1) applies to an occupied dwelling; and
(2) is at least as stringent as the requirements of this section.
(c) A dwelling must have at least one (1) functional smoke detector installed as follows:
(1) According to the manufacturer's instructions.
(2) Outside of each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
(3) On the ceiling or a wall not less than four (4) inches or more than twelve (12) inches from the ceiling. However, a smoke detector may not be recessed into a ceiling.
(4) On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements, cellars, and habitable attics. Unless there is a door between levels in dwellings with split levels, a smoke detector must be installed only on the upper level if the lower level is less than one (1) full story below the upper level.
(d) All smoke detectors must be:
(1) battery operated or hard wired into the dwelling's electrical system;
(2) accessible for servicing and testing; and
(3) maintained and at least one (1) time every six (6) months tested by the occupant to ensure that the smoke detector is in operational condition.
(e) Each owner or the manager or rental agent of the owner is responsible for:
(1) the installation of a required smoke detector; and
(2) the replacement and repair of a required smoke detector within seven (7) working days after the owner, manager, or rental agent is given written notification of the need to replace or repair the smoke detector.
(f) A person may not tamper with or remove a smoke detector except when necessary for maintenance purposes.
(g) A unit (as defined in IC 36-1-2-23) may adopt an ordinance concerning dwellings that:
(1) includes more stringent or detailed requirements than those set forth in this chapter; and
(2) does not conflict with this chapter.


Having an extra IN the bedroom is okay, it's never wrong to have extras.
But, the hallway OUTSIDE the bedroom is better.
A smoke detector in the room is not going to get very much smoke if the door is shut. Plus, look at the top of your door. There is a space to the ceiling. This prevents smoke from easily reaching the detector.
In the hallway, near the bedrooms is better.
Should be high, remember smoke rises.
Note: Carbon Monoxide detectors need to be near where you normally breath.

And I don't think the wiring thing applies to battery power devices.

If you have a battery powered device, change the battery every time you change the clocks.

 

[actaeon277]

Also, the detector needs to be changed either 5 or 7 years. Look in the instructions.
Write this date on the inside of the battery compartment. You are NEVER going to remember when they need to be changed.
When you change the battery, you'll see the date.

 

[bobbittle]

I would recommend one in or near your laundry room as well.

 

[mrjarrell]

Also, the detector needs to be changed either 5 or 7 years. Look in the instructions.
Write this date on the inside of the battery compartment. You are NEVER going to remember when they need to be changed.
When you change the battery, you'll see the date.

Not necessary with newer ones, like Kidde's. Many have 10 year Lithium batteries now.

 

[lizerdking]

Maybe new construction codes are tighter and or vary with local ordinances? I'd check with your local county building commission to be sure.

They were very specific that they all had to be tied together, and he tested to verify.

 

[mcolford]

Also, the detector needs to be changed either 5 or 7 years. Look in the instructions.
Write this date on the inside of the battery compartment. You are NEVER going to remember when they need to be changed.
When you change the battery, you'll see the date.

The average is 10 year life now. A lot of them are now coming with "Life Long Batteries" (the battery is supposed to last 10 years)... I will just stick to changing mine every 6 months.

I have one in every bedroom, 1 upstairs (its an open upstairs, no dividing walls), 1 in the kitchen, 1 in utility room. 1 in the living room/tv computer room.

I say overkill is something that cant be reached when it comes to these as well as CO2 detectors (we got 2 in our house).

 

[actaeon277]

Not necessary with newer ones, like Kidde's. Many have 10 year Lithium batteries now.

True on the batteries. But on the life of the detector, I'd have to check. Because it was determined by a ultra small radioactive source as a sensor, and the source became to weak for the detector to work in 5 or 7 years.

But it's been 4 years or so since I last bought.


I still go with... read directions.
Write date to change somewhere you will see it.

 

[actaeon277]

double post

 

[actaeon277]

The average is 10 year life now. A lot of them are now coming with "Life Long Batteries" (the battery is supposed to last 10 years)... I will just stick to changing mine every 6 months.

I have one in every bedroom, 1 upstairs (its an open upstairs, no dividing walls), 1 in the kitchen, 1 in utility room. 1 in the living room/tv computer room.

I say overkill is something that cant be reached when it comes to these as well as CO2 detectors (we got 2 in our house).

I agree on the overkill. Life is worth more than those units cost.
I saw news on TV where a guy's daughter died in a fire. He blamed the landlord for not changing the batteries.
REALLY? Your daughter died cause you were TOO CHEAP to install a 9v battery?
I couldn't live with myself after that.

 

[CathyInBlue]

How would the location of smoke/CO detectors (not to mention fire sprinklers) be affected by the location of ceiling fans?

 

[actaeon277]

How would the location of smoke/CO detectors (not to mention fire sprinklers) be affected by the location of ceiling fans?

I haven't worked with either.
So my advice means nothing.
Light incense, cigarette, cigar, or something you can see the smoke travel.
Ensure that the fan does NOT blow the smoke AWAY from the proposed location.


Fire sprinkler that is not sprinkling, should have no effect.
After it is sprinkling, the fire would be so hot, the detector probably would have melted. The sprinkler has a low melting point plug, such as lead. Fire melts it, water flows.
I guess you could place it not too near, water thrown on the detector wouldn't be good for it. But the detector should be going off with a small fire. Well before the sprinkler activates.


Once again. I have worked with neither ceiling fans or sprinklers.

 

[actaeon277]

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

(chart source Gases - Specific Gravities)

Gas	Specific Gravity[SUP]1)[/SUP] - SG -
Acetylene (ethyne) - C[SUB]2[/SUB]H[SUB]2[/SUB]	0.90
Air[SUP]1)[/SUP]	1.000
Alcohol vapor	1.601
Ammonia - NH[SUB]3[/SUB]	0.59
Argon - Ar	1.38
Arsine	2.69
Benzene - C[SUB]6[/SUB]H[SUB]6[/SUB]	2.6961
Blast Furnace gas	1.02
Butadiene - C[SUB]4[/SUB]H[SUB]6[/SUB]	1.87
Butane - C[SUB]4[/SUB]H[SUB]10[/SUB]	2.0061
1-Butene (Butylene)- C[SUB]4[/SUB]H[SUB]8[/SUB]	1.94
Isobutene - C[SUB]4[/SUB]H[SUB]8[/SUB]	1.94
Carbon dioxide - CO[SUB]2[/SUB]	1.5189
Carbon monoxide - CO	0.9667
Carbureted Water Gas	0.63
Chlorine - Cl[SUB]2[/SUB]	2.486
Coke Oven Gas	0.44
Cyclobutane	1.938
Cyclopentane	2.422
Cyclopropane	1.451
Decane	4.915
Deutrium - D[SUB]2[/SUB]	0.070
Digestive Gas (Sewage or Biogas)	0.8
Ethane - C[SUB]2[/SUB]H[SUB]6[/SUB]	1.0378
Ether vapor	2.586
Ethyl Chloride - C[SUB]2[/SUB]H[SUB]5[/SUB]Cl	2.23
Ethylene (Ethene) - C[SUB]2[/SUB]H[SUB]4[/SUB]	0.9683
Fluorine	1.31
Helium - He	0.138
Heptanes	3.459
Hexane	2.973
Hydrogen	0.0696
Hydrogen chloride - HCl	1.268
Hydrogen sulfide - H[SUB]2[/SUB]S	1.1763
Hydrofluoric acid	2.370
Hydrochloric acid	1.261
Illuminating gas	0.4
Isobutane	2.01
Isopentane	2.48
Krypton	2.89
Marsh gas	0.555
Mercury vapor	6.940
Methane - CH[SUB]4[/SUB]	0.5537
Methyl Chloride	1.74
Natural Gas (typical)	0.60 - 0.70
Neon	0.697
Nitric oxide - NO	1.037
Nitrogen - N[SUB]2 [/SUB](pure)	0.9669
Nitrogen - N[SUB]2 [/SUB](atmospheric)	0.9723
Nitrous oxide - N[SUB]2[/SUB]O	1.530
Nonane	4.428
Octane	3.944
Oxygen - O[SUB]2[/SUB]	1.1044
Ozone	1.660
Pentane	2.487
Phosgene	1.39
Propane - C[SUB]3[/SUB]H[SUB]8[/SUB]	1.5219
Propene (Propylene) - C[SUB]3[/SUB]H[SUB]6[/SUB]	1.4523
R-11	4.742
R-12	4.174
R-22	2.985
R-114	5.9
R-123	5.279
R-134a	3.522
Sasol	0.42
Silane	1.11
Sulfur Dioxide - SO[SUB]2[/SUB]	2.264
Toluene-Methylbenzene	3.1082
Water gas (bituminous)	0.71
Water vapor	0.6218
Xenon	4.53

 

[actaeon277]

As you can see, Carbon Monoxide's specific gravity is .9667. This means it is neutral. It will "hover" near where it is dispersed.
Air currents will then disperse it following the current.
It may also tend to rise, due to heating in the air.


One of the problems with Carbon Monoxide, is that unlike a lot of gasses, it tends to "group".
It wants to stick near itself.
This creates a bubble.
So your detector can miss this bubble, even though it's on the same level.
Because Carbon Monoxide tends to not rise or sink, the detector needs to be on plane with your mouth.
Living room, think of where your mouth would be when sitting in chair or on couch.
Bedroom, bed level.
etc.

 

[actaeon277]

Source Carbon Monoxide Advice | Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement

This site had very little.
But this was good.
"Homeowners should remember not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms."

 

[actaeon277]

First Alert - Faqs - CO Alarm

Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement - Carbon Monoxide - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

 

[actaeon277]

I work on instrumentation at a steel mill. One of the types of instruments I work on, is Carbon Monoxide detectors.
Process/flow equipment
and Personal

Personal Stationary wall units, and personal portable.

Now when a smoke detector goes off, people notice the smoke, and then they take action.
But when a Carbon Monoxide Detector goes off............ They call me and say it's BROKE.
How do they know it's broke?
Cause the alarm is going off.

AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH
Nowhere in our procedures does it say to call the repairman, but that's what they do.

If it goes off
ASSUME IT'S REAL.
Yes, I'm yelling. 20 years of this is getting to me.
Once again.
ASSUME IT'S REAL.

If you're not trusting it, then you would have to use the 2 out of 3 rule.
Three detectors, in the same space, next to each other.
2 detectors read exactly (or near enough) to the same, and the third reads something vastly different, you go with the 2.

When I go on a call, I use a portable detector that I verify/certify before I go. This counts as two, because I just verified/certified it.

But no. When a Blast Furnace lets loose a FART. It floods a good square mile with Carbon Monoxide.
The bosses call me and say.... I have 7 detectors going off, all reading the same. Can you come fix them?
Really, they all broke at the same time and read the same thing.
I shoulda played the lottery that day.

Ok. Enough rant.
ASSUME IT'S REAL.
ASSUME IT'S REAL.
ASSUME IT'S REAL.
ASSUME IT'S REAL.