Fire Alarm Installation

Location

• Place your smoke alarms in different areas of the house: one in each bedroom, one in a central location near each bedroom area, and one on every level, including the basement and attic.

  Ceiling mounted fire alarms should be at least four inches from the wall, and wall mounted ones should be at least four inches from the ceiling. However, they should be up fairly high.

  Position fire alarms away from stoves and fireplaces since the smoke can cause a nuisance alarm that might tempt you to take the alarm down or remove the batteries. For the opposite reason, keep them away from ceiling fans or windows. The moving air might keep smoke or heat from reaching the fire alarm.

Mounting Bracket

• Use a step stool to reach up to the location on the wall or ceiling where you will put the fire alarm. Hold the mounting bracket of the fire alarm in its future place and mark the holes in the ring. Take the ring down and drill small holes where you have marked.

  Use a screwdriver to pin the bracket to the wall or ceiling with the screws that came with the fire alarm kit. Tighten the screws down well.

Fire Alarm

• Open the battery compartment of the alarm. Lay the ribbon in the compartment out across the alarm back. Attach the battery in place within the compartment, over the ribbon. Lay the ribbon back across it and put the lid back on the alarm.

  Hold the fire alarm up to the mounting bracket. Place the bottom of the alarm into the bracket. Twist until the alarm settles into place. Give it an extra twist to make sure it is properly seated and will not fall off the wall or ceiling.

  Test the fire alarm by pressing the test button. If it beeps in response, the fire alarm is functioning and ready to alert you to fire danger.