Owner's Manual

WHERE NOT
TO
INSTALL
YOUR
SMOKE
ALARMS
For
best
performance,
AVOID
installing
a smoke
alarm
in
these
areas:
•
Where
combustion
particles
are
produced.
Burning material creates combustion particles
which could cause your smoke alarm
to
go
off
unnecessarily. Areas
to
avoid include
poorly ventilated kitchens, garages, boats,
recreational vehicles, and furnace rooms.
Keep a smoke alarm
at
least 20
feet
(6
m)
from from
the
source
of
combustion particles
(stove, furnace, water heater, space heater)
if
possible.
In
areas where a
20-foot
(6
m)
distance is
not
possible-
in mobile, or smaller
homes,
for
example-
it
is recommended
a smoke alarm
to
be placed as
far
from
these fuel-burning sources as possible. The
placement recommendations are intended
to
keep a smoke
detector
at
a reasonable
distance from a fuel-burning source, reducing
"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
sensor
of
a smoke
alarm near
the
kitchen.
• In
very
damp, humid
or
steamy
areas,
or
directly
near
bathrooms
with
showers. Keep
a smoke alarm
at
least
10
feet
(3
m)
away from
showers, saunas, dishwashers, etc.
•
Where
temperatures
are regularly below
40oF
{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
a smoke alarm, preventing
it
from reaching
the
sensor.
•
In
insect infested areas.
Insects
can clog openings
to
the
sensor and cause unwanted alarms.
• Less
than
12
inches
(30.5
em) away
from
fluorescent
lights. Electrical "noise"
can
interfere with
the
sensor.
•
In
"dead
air"
spaces.
"Dead air"
spaces may
prevent smoke from reaching a smoke alarm.
WHERE
NOT TO
INSTALL
YOUR
CO
ALARMS
• Keep carbon monoxide alarm
at
least
10ft
(3
m)
away from any cooking appliance including
stovetop, oven, microwave, etc.
•
This alarm should
not
be installed in locations
where
the
normal ambient temperature is
below
40°F
(4.4°C)
or exceeds
100°F
(37.8°C).
EXAMPLES
OF
WHEN
YOUR
SMOKE
ALARM
MAY
NOT BE
EFFECTIVE
Your alarm may
not
be
effective
in
protecting
against
fire
in
certain
cases:
•
Smoking in bed
•
Leaving children unsupervised
•
Cleaning
with
flammable
liquids, like gasoline.
• When someone's
clothes
have
caught
on
fire
•
Fires where
the
smoke is prevented
from
reaching
the
alarm due
to
a closed
door
or
other
obstruction
•
Incendiary
fires
where
the
fire
grows so
rapidly
that
an
occupant
can't
get
out, even
with
alarms
in
proper
locations
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