Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed within ___ feet from a door to a bathroom containing a shower or tub.

• A. 3 feet
• B. 10 feet
• C. 2 feet
• D. 6 feet

Answer: (A)

The distance concept being tested is how to place smoke alarms so steam from a bathroom doesn’t cause false alarms. The rule specifies that a smoke alarm should not be installed within a small buffer zone from a door to a bathroom that contains a shower or tub, because steam can reach the unit and trigger it unexpectedly. That buffer is three feet, meaning the alarm must be at least three feet away from that door. So, any location closer than three feet would be noncompliant, while being three feet away or farther satisfies the requirement. This is why the correct distance is three feet.