But to get the protection you paid for, it's vital that you follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installation, testing and maintenance. On floors without bedrooms, detectors should be installed in or near living areas such as dens, living rooms, or family rooms. Everyone in your home should be able to hear the smoke detector alarm, even with bedroom doors closed. If not, or if any residents are hearing-impaired, install additional detectors inside bedrooms. For extra protection, addition smoke detector may be installed in dining rooms, furnace room, utility room and hallways.
Most home fires start in the living areas, den, family room, or living room.
Smoke detectors should not be placed in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, or unheated spaces where cooking fumes, steam, exhaust or high temperatures might cause false alarms. Smoke rises, thus mount detectors high on a wall or on the ceiling. A wall-mounted unit should be 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted detector should be at least 4 inches from the nearest wall. In a room with a pitched ceiling, mount the detector on or near the ceiling's highest point.