User's Manual

Recommended protection
Fire authorities recommend you put individual smoke alarms in or near all rooms where
re is most likely to break out (apart from the locations to avoid e.g. bathrooms). The
living room is the most likely place for a re to start at night, followed by the kitchen
(where a heat alarm is recommended) and then the dining room. Consideration should
be given to installing smoke alarms in any bedrooms where res might occur, for
instance, where there is an electrical appliance such as an electric blanket or heater,
or where the occupant is a smoker. In addition, consideration should be also given to
installing smoke alarms in any rooms where the occupant is unable to respond very well
to a re starting in that room, such as an elderly or sick person or a very young child.
Checking alarms can be heard
With the alarms sounding in their intended locations check that the alarm can be heard
in each bedroom with the door closed, above the sound of any TV/audio systems. The
TV/audio systems should be set to a reasonably loud conversation level. If you cannot
hear the alarm over the sound of the TV/audio system, the chances are it would not
wake you. Connecting the smoke alarms to one or several Visit receivers will help to
ensure that the alarm is noticed throughout the property.
Positioning
Ceiling mounting
Hot smoke rises and spreads out, so a central ceiling position is the recommended
location. The air is “dead” and does not move in corners, therefore smoke alarms must
11 12
be mounted away from corners. Keep at least 305mm (12") from walls and corners, see
Figure 3. Additionally, mount the unit at least 305mm (12") from any light tting or
decorative object which might prevent smoke entering the smoke alarm.
Wall mounting
If ceiling mounting is impractical, smoke alarms may be mounted on a wall, provided that:
a) The top of the detection element is between 150mm (6") and 305mm (12") below the ceiling;
b) The bottom of the detection element is above the level of any door openings;
Wall mounting should only be considered where close spaced beams or similar obstruc-
tions may preclude ceiling mounting. It is considered to be the responsibility of the
installer/client to determine if the presence of asbestos in the ceiling material would
make ceiling mounting ‘impractical’.
On a sloping ceiling
With a sloping or peaked ceiling, install a smoke alarm within 610mm (24") of the peak
(measured vertically). If this height is less than 610mm (24"), the ceiling is regarded as
being at, see Figure 4.
x x
Smoke alarms
<610mm (24") from apex
Dead air
space
Place in central location and not
within 305mm (12") of any corner
Smoke alarms
<610mm (24")
Apex
Figure 3 Figure 4