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1. Why do I need smoke detectors?

Most fire deaths happen at night, while people are asleep. This makes early fire detection and warning especially important. Contrary to popular belief, the smell of smoke may not wake a sleeping person. The poisonous gases and smoke produced by a fire can numb the senses and put you into a deeper sleep.

Inexpensive household smoke detectors sound an alarm, alerting you to a fire. By giving you time to escape, smoke detectors cut your risk of dying in a home fire nearly in half. Smoke detectors save so many lives that most states have laws requiring them in private homes.

2. How many smoke detectors do I need or are required?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), minimum protection requires a smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. On floors without bedrooms, detectors should be installed in or near living areas such as dens, living rooms, or family rooms.

We strongly suggest smoke detectors be installed inside every bedroom; this is a code requirement for new homes but older homes may need additional smoke detectors added. For the hearing impaired, there are smoke detectors that flash a strobe light in addition to sounding an audible alarm.

For extra protection, NFPA suggests installing additional detectors in dining rooms, furnace rooms, utility rooms, and hallways. Smoke detectors are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, garages, or attics and other unheated spaces – where cooking fumes, steam, humidity and temperature changes might affect a detector's operation.

3. How do I choose a detector?

Dozens of brands of smoke detectors are for sale in hardware, department, and discount stores. Be sure that the smoke detector you buy bears the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as UL or FM. Please see the Choosing a Detector page for more information. Choosing a Detector Page

4. Why do I get false alarms?

A smoke detector false alarm can be initiated by small dirt particles, smoke from cooking, placement too close to fluorescent lighting fixtures, and dust or temperature extremes. These may be present in garages, kitchens and attics. Fresh paint fumes can get heavy enough to cause a false alarm, so air out freshly painted rooms. Steam from bathrooms can also cause a false alarm.

5. Where do I install smoke detectors?

Because smoke rises, mount detectors high on a wall or on the ceiling. Wall-mounted units should be hung 6 to 12 inches from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted detector should be attached at least 6 inches from the nearest wall. In rooms with pitched ceilings, mount the detector at or near the ceiling's highest point. Do not place detectors within 6 inches of where the wall and ceiling meet, on either surface. This is a "dead air" space that gets little air circulation. Instructions for installation and placement should accompany the unit, and you should follow these instructions precisely.

6. How do I test the smoke detector?

All smoke detectors are required to have a test button installed on them; this test button checks all functions of the smoke detector. If your smoke detector does not have a test button, you should replace the unit with one that does. Test each unit at least once every 30 days. Testing Your Smoke Detector (JPG)

7. When do I replace the smoke detector battery?

Batteries weaken with age and must be checked and replaced at regular intervals (usually every 6 months). Battery powered units that are listed by UL or FM will generate a beeping sound (usually at night when you are trying to sleep) to indicate when the batteries need to be replaced. Remember having a detector with dead batteries is the same as having no detector at all. There are newer smoke detectors out there that have batteries that last 10 years.

8. When do I replace the smoke detector?

Studies show that untested smoke detectors lose about half of their dependability after a 5- to 7-year period. Smoke detectors should be replaced about every 8 to 10 years. Read the manufacturer's instructions as they usually have recommendations.

9. Do I clean my smoke detector?

Yes! Dust can damage your detector's sensitivity. Most units need to be cleaned at least once a year. Just use your vacuum cleaner to clean dust out of the unit. Read the manufacturer's instructions manual.

10. What do I do when the detector alarms?

Please see the When a Smoke Alarm Detects Fire page for detailed instructions. When a Smoke Alarm Detects Fire Page