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Requirements and recommendations for proper use of fire alarm systems in-
cluding smoke detectors and other fire alarm devices:
Early fire detection is best achieved by the installation and maintenance of fire detection
equipment in all rooms and areas of the house or building in accordance with the requirements
and recommendations of the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association
Standard 72, National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72), the manufacturer's recommendations,
State and local codes and the recommendations contained in Guide for the Proper Use of
System Smoke Detectors, which is made available at no charge to all installing dealers. For
specific requirements, check with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (ex. Fire Chief) for
fire protection systems.
Requirements and Recommendations include:
•
Smoke Detectors shall be installed in sleeping rooms in new construction and it is
recommended that they shall also be installed in sleeping rooms in existing construction.
•
It is recommended that more than one smoke detector shall be installed in a hallway if it is
more than 30 feet long.
•
It is recommended that there shall never be less then two smoke detectors per apartment or
residence.
•
It is recommended that smoke detectors be located in any room where an alarm control is
located, or in any room where alarm control connections to an AC source or phone lines
are made. If detectors are not so located, a fire within the room could prevent the control
from reporting a fire.
•
All fire alarm systems require notification devices, including sirens, bells, horns, and/or
strobes. In residential applications, each automatic alarm initiating device when activated
shall cause the operation of an alarm notification device that shall be clearly audible in all
bedrooms over ambient or background noise levels (at least 15dB above noise) with all
intervening doors closed.
•
It is recommended that a smoke detector with an integral sounder (smoke alarm) be
located in every bedroom and an additional notification device be located on each level of
a residence.
•
To keep your fire alarm system in excellent working order, ongoing maintenance is
required per the manufacturer's recommendations and UL and NFPA standards. At a
minimum the requirements of Chapter 7 of NFPA 72 shall be followed. A maintenance
agreement should be arranged through the local manufacturer's representative.
Maintenance should be performed annually by authorized personnel only.
•
The most common cause of an alarm system not functioning when a fire occurs is
inadequate maintenance. As such, the alarm system should be tested weekly to make sure
all sensors and transmitters are working properly.
151209
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