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Why is this important? Because you need to be
warned of a potential CO problem while you can still
react in time. In many reported cases of CO exposure,
victims may be aware that they are not feeling well,
but become disoriented and can no longer react well
enough to exit the building or get help. Also, young
children and pets may be the first affected.
The average healthy adult might not feel any symp-
toms when the CO Alarm sounds. However, people
with cardiac or respiratory problems, infants, unborn
babies, pregnant mothers, or elderly people can be
more quickly and severely affected by CO. If you
experience even mild symptoms of CO poisoning,
consult your doctor immediately!
AGENCY PLACEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
NFPA 72 (National Fire Code)
Smoke alarms shall be installed in each separate
sleeping room, outside each sleeping area in the
immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each
additional story of the family living unit, including
basements and excluding crawl spaces and unfin-
ished 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
locations occasionally experience conditions that
can result in improper operation.
California State Fire Marshall (CSFM)
Early warning detection is best achieved by the installa-
tion 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
bedrooms), 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.
This equipment should be installed in accordance with
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 72 and
101. National Fire Protection Association, One
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
Additional local building and regulatory codes may
apply in your area. Always check compliance
requirements before beginning any installation.
Specific requirements for smoke alarm installation vary
from state to state and from region to region. Check
with your local Fire Department for current require-
ments in your area. If you install AC or AC/DC units,
it is recommended they be interconnected for added
protection.
CHAPTER 8: REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR SMOKE ALARMS
