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
40°F
(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 1
00°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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