Under NFPA 72, where should smoke detectors be installed in a typical home?

• A. One in each bedroom, one in the corridor or hallway outside sleeping areas, and one on each level
• B. In the kitchen only
• C. In the garage
• D. In the attic

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is placing smoke detectors so occupants get early warning wherever they are in a typical home, especially while sleeping, and ensuring full coverage across all levels. Having a detector in each bedroom makes sure someone sleeping there will be alerted quickly if smoke is present in that space. A detector in the corridor or hallway outside sleeping areas ensures the alarm is heard as smoke travels toward the sleeping areas, helping wake everyone. Placing detectors on every level of the home provides detection if a fire starts on another floor, giving time for people to escape.

Detectors placed only in the kitchen, garage, or attic don’t provide the same level of protection for people in living areas. Kitchens are prone to nuisance alarms from cooking, garages aren’t living spaces, and attics aren’t where occupants spend time, so those locations don’t offer timely, comprehensive warning for a typical household.