What is the minimum distance that smoke detectors should be installed from cooking appliances?

The minimum distance that smoke detectors should be installed from cooking appliances is 3 feet. This guideline is established to reduce the likelihood of false alarms caused by normal cooking activities, such as steam or smoke from food preparation. If smoke detectors are too close to cooking equipment, they may trigger unnecessary alarms, which can lead to alarm fatigue or desensitization among occupants. In residential and commercial settings, maintaining this distance helps ensure that the smoke detector remains effective for detecting actual fires while minimizing nuisance alarms from routine cooking. Proper placement is crucial for the overall reliability and performance of the fire alarm system.