How well do you know the many options for spacing heat and smoke detectors? Take this quiz and test your knowledge.
Created by: Thomas P. Hammerberg
1. Smoke detectors have a listed spacing.
A. True
B. False
2. If a smoke detector has a nominal spacing of 30 feet, you are allowed to locate it anywhere between 28.5 feet and 31.5 feet.
3. When installing a smoke detector on the sidewall, the allowable location is _____ inches down from the ceiling.
A. 0–12
B. 4–12
C. 6–18
D. 12–18
4. For level ceilings with a beam depth of less than _____ of the ceiling height, smoke detectors may be installed using smooth ceiling spacing.
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 20%
5. A heat detector mounted on a 20-foot ceiling must have its listed spacing multiplied by _____.
A. 0.77
B. 0.71
C. 0.64
D. 0.58
6. The design spacing of heat detectors, where measured at right angles to the solid joists, shall not exceed _____ of the listed spacing.
A. 20%
B. 30%
C. 40%
D. 50%
7. Solid joists shall be considered equivalent to beams for smoke detector spacing guidelines.
8. When installing smoke detectors on a peaked ceiling, detectors shall first be spaced and located within _____ inches of the peak, measured horizontally.
A. 12
B. 24
C. 36
D. 48
9. The temperature rating of the heat detector shall be at least _____ above the maximum expected temperature at the ceiling.
A. 15°
B. 20°
C. 25°
D. 30°
10. When installing smoke detectors with a nominal spacing of 30 feet in a 10-foot-wide corridor, you are allowed to install them up to _____ feet apart.
A. 15
B. 21
C. 30
D. 41
