Proper placement of smoke detectors is essential. A well-placed smoke detector can therefore make the difference between life and death. Below you will find a detailed explanation that will help you to make your environment fireproof.
1. As a minimum guideline, smoke detectors should be installed between sleeping quarters and possible fires, such as living rooms and kitchens. Also be sure to read the article "What and how many detectors do I need?" for general tips regarding the amount and type of detectors you can install.
- In single-storey houses with one bedroom, a smoke detector should be placed in the hallway as close to the living room as possible. To ensure that the sound of the alarm can be heard clearly in the bedrooms, the smoke detector should be placed no more than 3 meters away from a bedroom door. It is therefore possible that more than one smoke detector needs to be installed, especially if the corridor is longer than 15 meters.
- In a one-storey home with two bedrooms, a minimum of two smoke detectors is recommended, one on the outside of each bedroom. In homes with several (intermediate) floors, at least one smoke detector should be placed on the ground floor, between the stairwell and the areas where fire can break out, and one on each floor in the walkway that is part of the escape route (normally the corridor and the landing). NOTE: Heat detectors may not be used instead of smoke detectors on escape routes. Heat detectors may only be used for the applications listed below and then in addition to smoke detectors.
2. Additional detectors should be installed in bedrooms to signal fire outbreaks caused by poor wiring, lamps, electrical appliances and smokers.
3. For optimal protection, smoke detectors should be placed in every room of your home, with the exception of a few specific areas. In short, smoke detectors may not be placed in kitchens, central heating systems, utility rooms, garages and other areas that are not suitable for smoke detectors.
4. In walking areas, place smoke detectors no more than 7.5 meters from the furthest wall, no more than 7.5 meters from a door to a room where a fire could start, and no further than 7.5 meters from the next one. smoke alarm. In rooms protected with heat detectors, the smoke detector should be installed no more than 5.3 meters from the nearest heat detector.
5. Heat alarms in a room should be no more than 5.3 meters from the furthest wall and no more than 5.3 meters from a door to a fire potential room, and no further than 5.3 meters from the farthest wall. the next heat detector.
6. Since it is impossible to predict how and where a fire will start, the best location for a detector is usually in the middle of a room or hallway. Should it be necessary to mount the smoke detector on a wall, it should first be checked that the sensor element of the device is 15 cm to 30 cm below the ceiling and that the bottom of the detector is above door height and other openings. WARNING: Do not attach heat detectors to the wall!
7. In a room with sloping or tapered ceilings or gables, the smoke detectors should be mounted 90 cm from the highest measured point of the ceiling. “Stagnant air” in the ridge of the ceiling could prevent smoke from reaching the sensor in time. Closed doors and other obstructions can prevent smoke or heat from reaching the sensor. It is also possible that residents on one side of a closed door cannot hear the alarm on the other side of the door. Install enough detectors to prevent this.
