Smoke Alarm positioning
1. Recommended Locations for Alarms
- Locate the first alarm in the immediate area of the bedrooms. Try to protect the exit path as the bedrooms are usually farthest from the exit. If more than one sleeping area exists, locate additional alarms in each sleeping area.
- Locate additional alarms to protect any stairway as stairways act like chimneys for smoke and heat.
- Locate at least one alarm on every floor level.
- Locate an alarm in every bedroom where a smoker sleeps.
- Locate an alarm in every room where electrical appliances are operated (i.e. portable heaters or humidifiers).
- Locate an alarm in every room where someone sleeps with the door closed. The closed door may prevent the alarm from waking the sleeper.
- Smoke, heat and combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally. Mounting the smoke alarm on the ceiling in the centre of the room places it closest to all points in the room. Ceiling mounting is preferred in ordinary residential construction.
For mobile home installation, select locations carefully to avoid thermal barriers that may form at the ceiling. For more details, see MOBILE HOME INSTALLATION on page 2.
- Only models KS-0916, KS-0916LL and KS-0918 are suitable for installing in caravans or mobile homes.
- When mounting an alarm on the ceiling, locate it at a minimum of 4” (10cm) from the side wall and 2 feet (60.96cm) from any inside corner (see Diagram A).
- When mounting the alarm on the wall, use an inside wall with the top edge of the alarm at a minimum of 4” (10cm) and a maximum of 12” (30.5cm) below the ceiling, and at least 2 feet (61cm) from any inside corner (see Diagram A).
- Put smoke alarms at both ends of a bedroom hallway or large room if the hallway or room is more than 30 feet (9.1m) long.
Mobile Home Installation
- Mobile homes built in the past five to seven years have been designed to be energy efficient.
- Install smoke alarms as recommended above (refer to RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS and Diagram A).
- In mobile homes that are not well insulated compared to present standards, extreme heat or cold can be transferred from the outside to the inside through poorly insulated walls and roof. This may create a thermal barrier which can prevent the smoke from reaching an alarm mounted on the ceiling. In such units, install the smoke alarm on an inside wall with the top edge of the alarm at a minimum of 4” (10cm) and a maximum of 12” (30.5cm) below the ceiling (see Diagram A).
- If you are not sure about the insulation in your mobile home, or if you notice that the outer walls and ceiling are either hot or cold, install the alarm on an inside wall. For minimum protection, install at least one alarm close to the bedrooms. For additional protection, see SINGLE FLOOR PLAN in Diagram B.
WARNING: TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARM OPERATION AFTER CARAVAN OR MOBILE HOME VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN STORAGE, BEFORE EACH TRIP AND AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK DURING USE.
2. Locations to Avoid
- In the garage. Products of combustion are present when you start your car.
- In front of forced air ducts used for heating and air conditioning, near ceiling fans, or other high air flow areas.
- In the peak of an “A” frame type ceiling.
- In an area where the temperature may fall below 40°F or rise above 100°F.
- In dusty areas. Dust particles may cause nuisance alarm or failure to alarm.
- In very humid areas or near a bathroom. Moisture or steam can cause nuisance alarms.
- Near fluorescent lights. Electronic “noise” may cause nuisance alarms.
3. Installation instructions
CAUTION: THIS UNIT IS SEALED. THE COVER IS NOT REMOVABLE!
- Remove the mounting plate from the back of the alarm by holding the mounting plate and twisting the alarm in the direction indicated by the “OFF” arrow on the alarm cover .
- To ensure aesthetic alignment of the alarm with the hallway or wall, the “A” line on the mounting plate must be parallel with the hallway when ceiling mounting or horizontal when wall mounting.
- After selecting the proper smoke alarm location as described in Section 1, attach the mounting plate to the ceiling as shown in Figure 1. For wall mounting see Figure 2.
- Place mounting place on the wall. Be sure the “UP FOR WALL MOUNTING” text and arrow are facing up. Use the screws and anchors provided to secure the mounting plate.
- Battery installation instructions are provided on the inside of the battery door . To ensure proper installation of the smoke alarm battery, follow the instructions.
- When installing the battery, press the battery reminder finger down into the battery compartment and install the battery.
- Alignment marks are provided on the edge of the trim plate and the alarm. After installing the mounting plate, place the alarm on the mounting plate with the alignment marks lined up. Twist the alarm in the direction indicated by the “ON” arrow on the alarm cover (see Figure 4) until it locks in place.
USING TAMPER RESIST LOCKING PIN: To make your smoke alarm somewhat tamper resistant, a locking pin has been provided in the bag with the screws and anchors. Using this pin will deter children and others from removing the alarm from the mounting plate.
To use the pin, insert it into the hole in the side of the alarm after the alarm has been installed on the mounting plate (see Figure 5).
