1.3   Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Every home should have at least one smoke alarm. Homes with combustion appliances must also have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Install these alarms on each level, near the bedrooms. New buildings require alarms in hallways and inside bedrooms.

Install combination CO/smoke alarms in homes with combus­tion appliances that lack both smoke alarms and CO alarms.

Don’t install alarms within 15 feet of gas ranges or combustion devices because small amounts of smoke or CO can cause nui­sance false alarms.

Single-function alarms or combination alarms can interconnect electrically for whole-building protection. If one alarm sounds the other alarms sound too.

Educate occupants about the alarms and what to do if the alarm sounds. Discuss the low-battery chirping sound and how to replace the battery. Tell residents that alarms last less than 10 years and that a different sound will alert them when the alarm fails.

1.3.1   Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms labeled UL 217 in buildings where they don’t exist or don’t work.

ü       Install one smoke alarm in each home on each floor.

ü       If mounted on a wall, mount the alarm from 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.

ü       If mounted on a ceiling, mount the alarm at least 6 inches from the nearest wall.

ü       If battery powered, prefer long-life lithium batteries.

ü       If hard wired, connect the alarm to a circuit that is ener­gized at all times.

Don’t install smoke alarms in these situations.

•       Within 12 inches of exterior doors and windows

•       With an electrical connection to a switched circuit

•       With a connection to a ground-fault interrupter circuit (GFCI)

1.3.2   CO Alarms

Install at least one CO alarm in all weatherized homes or weath­erized apartments if one does not exist or is inoperable. CO alarms must comply with these specifications.

ü       Have a label with a UL 2034 listing.

ü       If hard wired, connect to a circuit that is energized at all times by plugging in to an electrical receptacle.

ü       If battery powered, prefer long-life lithium batteries.

ü       Have a digital display of the CO measurement.

ü       Have a sensor-life alarm.

Don’t install CO alarms in these situations.

•       In a room that may get too hot or cold for alarm to function properly

•       Within 5 feet of a combustion appliance, vent, or chimney

•       Within 5 feet of a storage area for vapor-producing chemi­cals

•       Within 12 inches of exterior doors and windows

•       Within a furnace closet or room

•       With an electrical connection to a switched circuit

•       With a connection to a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)