Studio Matrx Monthly · Volume 1 · Issue 2 · July 2026
Amogh N P
 In loving memory of Amogh N P — Architect · Designer · Visionary 
Detector layout grid

Smoke Detector Placement Planner

On a smooth flat ceiling each smoke detector protects a square whose side is the maximum spacing. Enter the room size, the maximum detector spacing and the ceiling height to get a suggested detector count, the grid layout, and the actual even spacing along each wall. An indicative planning estimate — it runs entirely in your browser and stores nothing.

0
Detectors
0 × 0
Grid rows × cols
0.0 m
Spacing (length)
Even spacing — length
6.0 m
2 rows across 12.0 m
Even spacing — width
9.0 m
1 col across 9.0 m
  • Keep every detector ≥ 0.5 m from walls, light fittings and away from AC supply vents.
  • The first detector in a row sits within about half the spacing of a wall.
  • On a pitched roof mount within ~0.9 m of the apex — not in the dead-air at the very peak or in the corners.
  • A beam deeper than ~10% of the ceiling height acts like a wall — treat each bay as its own area.

This is an indicative planning estimate, not a compliant fire design or a statutory calculation. The actual number, spacing and detector type depend on your occupancy classification, building height, ceiling geometry and the requirements of the local Authority Having Jurisdiction. A licensed fire consultant must design the detection system to NBC Part 4 / IS 2189, and the local fire officer / AHJ signs it off. A wrong number here can cost lives — verify everything before you buy or install.