How far should smoke detectors be installed from cooking appliances?

Smoke detectors should be installed at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to minimize the chances of false alarms caused by cooking activities such as smoke, steam, or cooking odors. By maintaining this distance, the detector can function more effectively in its primary role of detecting hazardous smoke and fire while reducing the likelihood of nuisance alarms that could desensitize occupants to real emergencies.

The distance of 10 feet is considered a standard recommendation in fire safety guidelines, ensuring that the detector responds to genuine threats without being triggered by everyday cooking scenarios. This placement allows for optimal performance and reliability of smoke detection systems, which is critical in ensuring occupant safety.