PLACEMENT OF SMOKE DETECTORS FOR ONE AND TWO FAMILY RESIDENCES  

The New Jersey State Uniform Safety Act, N.J.S.A.52:27D-198.1 states: a structure used or intended to be used for residential purposes by not more than two households, shall have a smoke-sensitive alarm device on each level of the structure and outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and located on or near the ceiling in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association standard No. 74-1984. The smoke sensitive device shall be tested and listed by a product certification agency recognized by the Division of Fire Safety.

WHERE TO PLACE SMOKE DETECTORS

Basement area: The basement smoke detector shall be installed in the basement within 10 feet of the stairway. The detector shall not be located in the stairway. If installed on an open joist ceiling, the detector shall be placed on the bottom of the joists. For finished ceiling see note below.

Living area and/or First Floor: The living area smoke detector shall be installed in the living room and/or near the stairway leading to the upper level. The detector shall not be located in the stairway.

Bedroom areas: The bedroom areas smoke detector shall be located in the hall area outside the bedrooms, within 10 feet of any bedroom door. In units with more than one bedroom area or with bedrooms on more than one floor, a detector is required within 10 feet of each bedroom.  

Attic area: Finished attics only. The attic area smoke detector shall be located in the attic near the stairway from the floor below. The detector shall be placed as indicated in the note below. Remeber if there is a bedroom in the attic the detector must be within 10 feet of the bedroom door.

Recommended Locations for Smoke Detectors

CENTRALIZED BEDROOMS If all the bedrooms in your house are located in one centralized area.   NON-CENTRALIZED BEDROOMS If all the bedrooms in your house are not located in one centralized area.

MULTI-LEVEL HOMES If you have a multi-level house.   OPEN ROOM ACCESS HOMES If you have a multi-level house with open room access.

NOTE: Smoke detectors shall be mounted on the ceiling at least 4 inches from the wall or the on the wall with the top of the detector not less than 4 inches or more than 12 inches below the ceiling at its highest point.

Note: Smoke detectors shall have a low battery warning & test button for easy tesing & maintenance. Fire alarm systems shall have operating, testing, & maintenance instructions.

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM

2-1 1.2 A carbon monoxide alarm or detector shall be centrally located outside of each seperate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Where bedroom area could be seriously impaired, more than one unit could be needed. Each alarm or dectector should be located on the wall, ceiling, or other location specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

1. At least one portable fire extinguisher shall be installed in all one and two family dwellings (except seasonal rental units) upon the change of occupancy.

2. The extinguisher shall be UL listed, labeled, charged, and operable.

3. The size shall be no smaller than 2A:10B:C, rated for residential use or weigh no more than 10lbs.

4. The hanger or bracket supplied by the manufactuer must be used.

5. The extingusher must be located within 10 feet of the kitchen

6. The top of the extingusher must not be more than 5 feet above the floor

7. The extinguisher must be visible and in a readily accessible location, free from   being blocked by furniture, storage, or other items

8. The extinguisher must be near a room exit or travel path that provides an escape  route to the exterior

9. The extinguisher must be accompanied by an owners manual or written information regarding the operation, inspection, and maintenance of the extingusher

10. The extinguisher must be installed with the operating instructions clearly visible.

New fire extinguishers are not required to be serviced and tagged, as long as the seller or agent can provide proof of purchase or reciept. 

Should you have any questions regarding the placement or testing of detectors please do not hesitate to call our office at 856-783-0284 x 123