Manual fire alarm boxes must be located within how many feet of an exit door?

Manual fire alarm boxes must be located within how many feet of an exit door?

• A. 5 feet
• B. 10 feet
• C. 3 feet
• D. 15 feet

Answer: (A)

Five feet is the practical distance chosen so a person can quickly reach and activate the alarm as they exit. Placing manual pull stations within five feet of an exit door ensures immediate notification and helps start the evacuation and safety systems without forcing anyone to search or backtrack. The device is typically mounted on the egress side of the door, unobstructed and at a reachable height, so it can be used right as you pass through the doorway. Distances much shorter or longer would hinder quick access or disrupt egress flow, so the five‑foot limit strikes the right balance for fast, reliable activation.

Five feet is the practical distance chosen so a person can quickly reach and activate the alarm as they exit. Placing manual pull stations within five feet of an exit door ensures immediate notification and helps start the evacuation and safety systems without forcing anyone to search or backtrack. The device is typically mounted on the egress side of the door, unobstructed and at a reachable height, so it can be used right as you pass through the doorway. Distances much shorter or longer would hinder quick access or disrupt egress flow, so the five‑foot limit strikes the right balance for fast, reliable activation.