Smoke detectors are found in almost every home and building. They are crucial to saving lives when fire strikes so it’s important to make sure they are fitted correctly. Here is our guide to correctly installing a smoke detector:
The project
Suitable for: beginners
Time required: 1 hour
Budget: depending on the number of smoke detectors, between £50 and £90
What you need: a smoke detector
You also need: screws and screwdrivers, or adhesive pads
Which rooms should have smoke detectors?
The UK Fire Service recommends that homeowners should fit enough smoke detectors to cater to their circumstances and type of living accommodation. For example, smoke detectors should be fitted on each level of the property at the least, and placed in any room except bathrooms (due to steam potentially triggering the alarm). For maximum protection, an alarm should be fitted in all other rooms at risk.
In rental properties, UK government regulations stipulate that at least one smoke alarm is installed on every level of the property used as living accommodation. They should generally be fitted to ceilings in spaces such as halls and landings.
Smoke detector assembly
Always attach the smoke detector with screws and dowels, or an attached adhesive pad – in any case, always follow the instructions. Because smoke always rises, you should install the smoke detectors in the middle of the ceiling, but at least 30 centimetres away from beams, lamps and walls.
Also, avoid placing the smoke detectors too close to air ducts or directly above windows. In addition, the detector should never be installed in the rooftop, but at least half a metre below.
Note that the smoke detector should never be obscured by cabinets or painted over. Here you run the risk that the ventilation slots of the smoke detector are covered and the device will then not work properly.
Special case: sloping roof
When installing smoke detectors on sloping roofs, there are a few special features. Make sure that the smoke detector is mounted in a horizontal position even when the roof is sloping.
For inclinations greater than 20 degrees, you should install the smoke detector at least half a metre away and no more than one metre from the top of the ceiling. Inclinations below 20 degrees, on the other hand, work like a horizontal wall in smoke detector installation.
For sloping roofs with a horizontal centre section of at least one metre, the smoke detector should be installed exactly there.
Mounting smoke detectors in hallways
In corridors that are no more than three metres wide, smoke detectors should be installed no more than 15 metres apart. If a corridor is over 15 metres long, two smoke detectors must be installed. For corridors that have an L or a U shape, smoke detectors should always be installed in the middle of the corners. Corridors that are wider than three metres are considered as rooms, so the 60-square-metre determination applies to them. In such corridors, therefore, two smoke detectors must be installed from 60 square metres upwards.
Maintaining smoke detectors
After proper installation, the smoke detectors must be serviced and replaced if necessary. If a smoke detector is equipped with batteries, it must be checked whether they are functional. Smoke detectors with the standard DIN 14604 emit a beep when the batteries should be changed.
Otherwise, check the manufacturer’s instructions to see how the smoke detector is to be maintained, but it is recommended to check it at least once a year, and also change the battery once a year if it’s not a 10 year alarm. Because dust or other contaminants can close the ventilation slots and collect on sensors, gently remove dust regularly to ensure the detector is still working.
After 10 years at the latest, you should replace the smoke detector, even if it is still functional.
Image credit: Fotolia/Adobe Stock 57580398
