BRK electronic HD6135FB - Manual (Page 6)

6
RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FOR HEAT ALARMS
In Single-Family Residences.
For minimum coverage, BRK Brands, Inc. recommends you install Heat Alarms in any area not suitable for
smoke alarms such as garages, kitchens, utility/laundry rooms, furnace rooms and crawl spaces. Install where
temperatures normally remain between -10ºF and 100ºF (-23ºC and 38ºC). For National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) information, see “Agency Placement Recommendations for Heat Alarms and Smoke
Alarms.”
RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT
Heat Alarms Recommended in New Home Construction
• The recommended location for a Heat Alarm is at the center of the ceiling. At this location, the Heat Alarm
is closest to all areas of the room.
• If it is not practical to install the Heat Alarm in the center of the room, use an off-center location not less
than 4 inches from the sidewall.
• If it is not practical to install the Heat Alarm on the ceiling, the next logical location is on a sidewall. A Heat
Alarm mounted on a sidewall should have the top of the unit between 4 and 12 inches from the ceiling.
• The smooth ceiling distance between Heat Alarms shall not exceed spacings as determined by UL fire
tests. This Heat Alarm has a 50 foot spacing.
• Reduced spacing may be required due to factors such as exposed joists, drafts, ceiling heights greater
than 10 feet, and other structural characteristics that may affect Heat Alarm operation. Walls, partitions,
doorways, and joists interrupt the normal flow of heat creating new areas to be protected.
NFPA Standard 72 Appendix A-2-5.2.2.2 part c-d
(c) The Spacing of Detectors: Where a room is too large for protection by a single detector, several
detectors should be used. It is important that they be properly located so all parts of the room are cov-
ered. (d) Where the Distance Between Detectors Should Be Further Reduced: The distance between
detectors is based on data obtained from the spread of heat across a smooth ceiling. Where the ceiling
is not smooth, the placement of the detector should be tailored to the situation.
For instance, with open wood joists, heat travels freely down the joist channels so that the maximum
distance between detectors [50 ft (15 m)] may be permitted to be used. However, heat has trouble
spreading across the joists, so the distance in this direction should be 1/2 the distance allowed between
detectors, as shown in the illustration above (“Heat Alarms Recommended in New Home Construction”)
and the distance to the wall is reduced to 12-1/2 ft. (3.8 m). Since 1/2 x 50 ft. (15 m) is 25 ft. (7.6 m), the
distance between detectors across open wood joists should not exceed 25 ft. (7.6 m), as shown in
“Heat Alarms Recommended in New Home Construction,” and the distance to the wall is reduced [1/2 x
25 ft. (7.6 m)] to 12.5 ft. (3.8 m). Paragraph 2-5.2.2.4 requires that detectors be mounted on the bottom of
the joists and not up in joist channels.
Walls, partitions, doorways, ceiling beams, and open joists interrupt the normal flow of heat, thus creat-
ing new areas to be protected.
GARAGE
BEDROOM BEDROOM
HALL LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
BASEMENT
BEDROOM
INTERCONNECTED HEAT ALARMS IN
GARAGES, KITCHENS, UTILITY/LAUNDRY
ROOMS, FURNACE ROOMS AND CRAWL
SPACES AND ONLY AS A SUPPLEMENT TO
SMOKE ALARMS.
FOR MAXIMUM PROTECTION USE
INTERCONNECTED SMOKE ALARMS WITH
BATTERY BACK-UP AS SHOWN.
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
50 ft.
(15 m)
25 ft.
(7.8 m)
12.5 ft.
(3.8 m)
12.5 ft.
(3.8 m)
Heat Alarms should be mounted on the bottom
of the joists and not up in the joist channels.
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEAT AND SMOKE ALARMS
NFPA Appendix A-2-5.2.2 While Chapter 2 does not require heat detectors as part of the basic protection
scheme, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional heat detectors...The additional
areas lending themselves to protection with heat detectors are: kitchen, dining room, attic (finished or unfin-
ished), furnace room, utility room, basement and integral or attached garages. For bedrooms, the installation of
a smoke detector is preferable to the installation of a heat detector.
The following recommendations reference location and usage of Smoke Alarms. Heat Alarms are intend-
ed as supplemental safety devices. Do not rely solely on Heat Alarms to alert you to fire.
NFPA 72 (National Fire Code)
Smoke Alarms shall be installed in each separate sleeping room, outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicin-
ity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl
spaces and unfinished attics.
In new construction, Alarms shall be so arranged that operation of any one Alarm shall cause the operation of all
Alarms within the dwelling.
Smoke Detection-Are More Smoke Alarms Desirable? The required number of Smoke Alarms might not provide
reliable early warning protection for those areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required
Smoke Alarms. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional Smoke
Alarms for those areas for increased protection. The additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining
room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways not protected by the required Smoke Alarms. The installation of
Smoke Alarms in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not normally recommended, as these loca-
tions occasionally experience conditions that can result in improper operation.
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installation of fire detection equipment in all rooms and areas of
the household as follows: A Smoke Alarm installed in each separate sleeping area (in the vicinity, but outside bed-
rooms), and Heat or Smoke Alarms in the living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, finished
attics, furnace rooms, closets, utility and storage rooms, basements, and attached garages.
Additional local building and regulatory codes may apply in your area. Always check compliance require-
ments before beginning any installation.
Specific requirements for Heat or Smoke Alarm installation vary from state to state and from region to region.
Check with your local Fire Department for current requirements in your area. If you install AC or AC/DC units, it is
recommended they be interconnected for added protection. Interconnect Smoke and Heat Alarms for added pro-
tection.
LOCATIONS TO AVOID FOR HEAT ALARMS
This unit works best when it’s clean and nothing interferes with the sensor. If exposed to dirt, grease, extreme
temperatures not caused by fire (especially in attics where daily temperatures can exceed the 135ºF (57ºC)
alarm level or high humidity, it may sound “unwanted” alarms. If Heat Alarms are installed where heat can’t
reach them–like in “dead air spaces” or near fans–they may not be able to provide an early enough warning in
case of fire.
For best performance, do not install the Heat Alarm:
In a location where it could be easily triggered when using your remote to operate
your TV, VCR, or other remote controlled appliances.
• Where temperatures are regularly below -20ºF (-29ºC) or above 115ºF (46ºC), including unheated buildings,
outdoor rooms, or porches.
• Do not install a Heat Alarm directly over the stove or range. Clean a laundry room unit frequently to keep it
free of dirt or lint.
• Near fresh air vents, ceiling fans, or in very drafty areas. Drafts can blow heat away from the unit, preventing
it from reaching the sensing chamber.
• In “dead air” spaces. Install units according to “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces”.
• Less than 12 inches (305 mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can interfere with the sensor.
AVOIDING DEAD AIR SPACES
“Dead air” spaces may prevent heat from reaching the Heat Alarm. To avoid dead air spaces, follow installation
instructions in the “Recommended Locations for Heat Alarms” (refer to NFPA72 for details).
For wall mounting (if allowed by building codes), the top edge of Heat Alarms should be placed between
4 inches (102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line, below typical “dead air” spaces.