What is the maximum distance that a standard smoke alarm should be from the kitchen?

The maximum distance a standard smoke alarm should be from the kitchen is 10 feet. This distance is established to reduce the likelihood of false alarms triggered by normal cooking activities, such as smoke or steam that can result from food preparation. If a smoke alarm is placed too close to the kitchen, these common occurrences may cause it to activate unnecessarily, which can lead to alarm fatigue, where occupants begin to ignore the alarms due to frequent false signals.

Keeping smoke alarms at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances helps ensure that they will be more reliable in detecting actual fires while minimizing interference from everyday cooking. This guideline is vital for enhancing the overall safety of a home, allowing for effective fire detection without compromising the reliability and functionality of the smoke alarm system.