How Many Smoke Detectors Do You Need In A House?

Should you have a smoke detector in every room?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, including the basement. Fire detectors should also be installed inside of every bedroom and outside of each sleeping area. There is no such thing as having too many smoke alarms in your home!

How many smoke detectors do I need?

If you have a door to the basement stairs or an upper floor, you need one detector on each side of it. If your house is bigger than 1,000 square feet — excluding an attached garage — you need a detector for every 500 square feet and it has to be no further than 30 feet away from another detector.

How many carbon monoxide detectors are required in a house?

As a minimum, each home should have one CO detector on each floor, one in or just outside each sleeping area, and one in the basement. In homes where multiple bedrooms adjoin a common hallway, a single detector in the hallway can provide protection for all of the rooms.

Do you really need to replace smoke detectors every 10 years?

Smoke alarm lifespans can vary, but according to the association, smoke alarms need to be replaced at least every 10 years. According to Carli, that lack of awareness means some U.S. homes may have smoke alarms that have passed their expiration dates, putting people at increased risk in the event of a home fire.