Construction Supervisor License Practice Exam

In residential buildings, when must smoke alarms be installed in each sleeping room?

1. Every room, regardless of occupancy

2. Only in rooms used for sleeping

3. Only in hallways adjacent to bedrooms

4. Only in common areas

The correct answer is: Only in rooms used for sleeping

In residential buildings, the installation of smoke alarms in each sleeping room is mandated to ensure the safety of occupants during sleep. The primary purpose of having smoke alarms in sleeping areas is to provide an early warning in case of a fire, allowing individuals to escape more readily from their personal spaces. While smoke alarms are critical in other areas of a home, such as hallways and common areas, the requirement specifically for sleeping rooms highlights the importance of having immediate notification in the spaces where individuals are most vulnerable. This targeted placement of smoke alarms increases the likelihood of waking occupants during a fire, potentially saving lives. The other options do not align with the standard safety recommendations. Installing alarms in every room or just in hallways and common areas neglects the specific risk present to individuals sleeping in their bedrooms, where the best chance of survival comes from early alertness when sleeping.