The ideal position of a smoke alarm is on the ceiling between sleeping and living areas. Avoid fitting smoke alarms in or near your kitchen, laundry or bathroom.
Depending on the size and layout of your home, it may be necessary to install more than one smoke alarm to provide sufficient warning.
Smoke alarms must not be placed within:
- 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall
- 300mm of a light fitting
- 400mm of an air-conditioning vent
- 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan
There are special requirements for stairways, sloping ceilings, and ceilings with exposed beams.
Every dwelling is different so you will need to assess yours. Avoid installation in the following positions:
- in dead air space. This is an area in which trapped hot air will prevent smoke from reaching the alarm. This space generally occurs at the apex of cathedral ceilings, the corner junction of walls and ceilings, and between exposed floor joists.
- near windows, doors, fans or air-conditioners. Excessive air movement may prevent smoke and gases from reaching the smoke alarm or cause nuisance alarms.
Accidental alarms can be a nuisance and become dangerous if home owners remove the alarm batteries or disable an interconnected system to silence the alarm.
Nuisance alarms can be avoided by not placing alarms in or near kitchens where cooking smoke can set them off, or in or near bathrooms where steam often causes accidental alarms.
Also avoid insect infested areas, as insects flying into the alarm can trigger an alarm.
