Recommended Locations for Smoke Detectors:
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends one smoke
detector on every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every bedroom. In
new construction, the smoke detectors must be AC powered and inter-
connected. For additional coverage, it is recommended that you install
a smoke detector in all rooms, halls, storage areas, finished attics, and
basements where temperatures normally remain between 4.4°C to
37.8°C. Make sure no door or other obstruction could keep smoke from
reaching detectors.
Specifically locate detectors:
• On every level of your residence, including basements and finished
attics.
• Inside every Bedroom, especially if people sleep with the doors
closed.
• Inside every bedroom where electrical appliances (such as portable
heaters or humidifiers) are operated where someone sleeps.
• At the bottom of the basement stairwell.
• At the top of the first-to-second floor stairwell, as long as no other
door or other obstructions block the path of smoke to the detector
• As close to the center of the ceiling as possible. If this is not practi-
cal, put the detector on the ceiling, but no closer than 4 inches (10
cm) from any wall or corner. See figure 1.
• If wall mounting is permitted by your local and state codes. Put the
top of wall-mounted detectors between 4 and 6 inches (10 and 15
