User Guide

10. NFPA REQUIRED PROTECTION
The National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72 provides the
following information:
Smoke Detection - Where required by other governing laws,
codes, or standards for a specific type of occupancy, approved sin-
gle and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed as follows:
(1) In all sleeping rooms and guest rooms
(2) Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within
21 ft (6.4 m) of any door to a sleeping room, with the distance
measured along a path of travel
(3) On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements
(4) On every level of a residential board and care occupancy (small
facility), including basements and excluding crawl spaces and
unfinished attics
(5) In the living area(s) of a guest suite
(6) In the living area(s) of a residential board and care occupancy
(small facility)
Smoke Detection - 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 addi-
tional smoke alarms for those areas for increased protection. The
additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room,
furnace room, utility room, and hallways not protected by the
required smoke alarms. The installation of the smoke alarms in
the kitchen, attic (finished or unfinished), or garage is normally not
recommended, as these locations occasionally experience condi-
tions that can result in improper operation.
This equipment should be installed in accordance with the
National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72 (NFPA,
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269).
NOTIFY YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT AND INSURANCE
COMPANY OF YOUR SMOKE ALARM INSTALLATION.