Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

How far apart should smoke detectors be installed in corridors?

1. 20 feet

2. 30 feet

3. 40 feet

4. 50 feet

The correct answer is: 30 feet

The installation of smoke detectors in corridors is crucial for ensuring the safety of residents in a nursing home setting. The guideline to install smoke detectors no more than 30 feet apart is based on national fire safety codes, which aim to provide adequate coverage and quick detection of smoke. By adhering to this distance, the likelihood of detecting a fire early increases, thereby enhancing the response time for evacuations and possibly saving lives. Smoke detectors spaced further apart may increase the risk of the detectors missing smoke from a fire, particularly in larger corridors where smoke might not reach a detector that is positioned too far away. Therefore, maintaining a maximum spacing of 30 feet ensures that there is a reliable system in place to alert residents and staff in case of smoke detection, fostering a safer environment within the facility.