What distance must a smoke detector be installed from an air supply or return vent?

The correct answer is that a smoke detector must be installed at least 3 feet from any air supply or return vent. This is crucial because air vents can cause smoke or heat from a fire to be dispersed or redirected, which might delay the response time of the smoke detector to actual smoke or heat from a fire. Installing the detector too close to an air vent can result in false alarms or prevent the detector from triggering promptly during a fire event, jeopardizing safety.

Regulations and best practices emphasize this distance to ensure that smoke detectors function effectively, providing adequate time to respond in case of a fire emergency. Adequate spacing from air vents allows for more reliable detection of smoke.