A method to determine the optimum location for fire alarms in residential buildings

Authors

  • R.E. Halliwell Inst. for Res. in Constr., Nat. Res. Council Canada, Ottawa, Ont., Canada
  • M.A. Sultan Inst. for Res. in Constr., Nat. Res. Council Canada, Ottawa, Ont., Canada

Keywords:

acoustic wave absorption, acoustic wave propagation, alarm systems, architectural acoustics, fires, safety, acoustic alarm signal attenuation, closed doors attenuation, room furnishings, acoustic path model, acoustic frequency spectrum, multiple detector-alarm systems, optimum location, fire alarms, residential buildings, fire emergency, alarm sounding devices, connected rooms, floor area, forced air heating, 0.1 to 5.0 kHz

Abstract

Fire alarms can save lives in a fire emergency only if people hear them. If alarm sounding devices are to be used effectively, attention must be paid to where they are located in the building. A simple expression has been developed to calculate the attenuation of the alarm signal from a smoke detector as it propagates through a residential building, with the path viewed as a series of connected rooms. Attenuation depends on floor area and type of furnishings in each room. Corrections are applied if the house does not have forced air heating or if a number of doors are closed. The expression can be used to determine the optimum location for alarms

Additional Files

Published

1989-04-01

How to Cite

1.
Halliwell R, Sultan M. A method to determine the optimum location for fire alarms in residential buildings. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 1989 Apr. 1 [cited 2026 May 1];17(2):9-18. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/604

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (1989)

Section

Technical Articles

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