Best practice for positioning smoke, heat and CO alarms

Where to place each alarm type for compliant, reliable coverage.

General principles

Position alarms to give the earliest reliable warning while avoiding sources of nuisance alarms. Always follow BS 5839-6 and the manufacturer instructions.

Smoke and multi-sensor alarms

Place smoke and multi-sensor alarms on escape routes and in principal habitable rooms, away from kitchens and bathrooms.

Heat and CO alarms

Use heat alarms in kitchens and garages, and position CO alarms in line with the standard and the location of fuel burning appliances.