It’s not a good idea. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which develops the codes that are followed nationally for fire prevention in building construction states that “the installation of smoke alarms in kitchens, unfinished attics, or garages is not normally recommended, as these location occasionally experience conditions that can result in improper operation.” 

    The recommended temperature range for areas where smoke alarms are installed is between 40º F (4º C) and 100º F (38º C), which could easily be exceeded in any of these areas, and makes them subject to nuisance alarms. 

    A smoke alarm in the living area that is directly connected (without doors) to the kitchen, however, is a good location. The International Residential Code (IRC) and the Residential edition of the Florida Building Code (FBC) require that smoke alarms be the following distances away from a “permanently installed cooking appliance”:
• 20 feet for ionization smoke alarms.
• 10 feet for ionization smoke alarms with silencing switch.
• 6 feet for photoelectric smoke alarms.

    For more info, go to our blog post Is it illegal to disconnect a smoke alarm? and Where should smoke alarms NOT be installed? and Where are smoke alarms required to be located? Also, see Are carbon monoxide alarms required to be installed in homes in Florida?

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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about SAFETY: 

• Are smoke alarms required to sell a house?

• Is the door between an attached garage and the house required to have a closer (self-closing device)?

• Can the smoke sensors in a home security/fire alarm system replace the smoke alarms required by the building code?

• Should I get a lightning rod system to protect my house? 

• What are the "Aging In Place" features to look for when buying a retirement home?

• What is aging in place? 

• How do I safely remove a dead rodent (rat, mouse or squirrel) from the attic?

• Does pushing the test button on a smoke alarm test the smoke sensor device inside? 

• What is the minimum height of a ceiling fan above the floor?

• Should a smoke alarm be installed in the kitchen? 

• Why is a double cylinder deadbolt lock on an exterior door a safety hazard? 

• Why are rubber washing machine hoses a safety risk?

• What can I do to avoid kitchen accidents and injuries?

• Why is an anti-tip device now required behind the range? 

• What are the hazards to avoid when going into an attic? 

    Visit our SAFETY page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.