Every residential building requires smoke alarms throughout. Smoke alarms are the single most important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities, by providing an early warning signal. Smoke alarms are a family's best defense against fire.
Every residence requires a smoke alarm near every sleeping area.
If bedrooms are in separate areas, more than one smoke alarm will be necessary. Every level in residential buildings require a minimum of one smoke alarm. This detector should be located near the stairwell if there are no bedrooms, such as in a basement. Every building that houses 2 or more families must have an alarm installed at the top of every stairwell. Heat and smoke from a fire rises to the top of a room very quickly.