If heat detectors are used to shut down elevator power, how far must they be placed from each sprinkler head?

In the context of fire protection systems, proper placement of heat detectors is critical to ensure that they function effectively without interference from other fire safety measures, such as sprinkler systems. Heat detectors are designed to respond to changes in temperature caused by a fire. If they are positioned too close to sprinkler heads, the heat generated by a fire might be mitigated by the cooling effect of the water from the sprinkler system, which could delay the activation of the heat detectors or lead to false alarms.

The specific requirement for placing heat detectors at a distance of 2 feet from each sprinkler head provides a balance: it is close enough to detect an actual fire in a timely manner while being far enough away to avoid the cooling effect from the sprinkler. This distance helps ensure that the systems can provide an accurate response to a fire scenario. Therefore, maintaining a 2-foot separation is a critical standard in ensuring both safety and the effectiveness of fire protection systems.