What minimum distance should smoke alarms be placed from the nearest bathroom?

Smoke alarms should be installed at least 3 feet away from the nearest bathroom to prevent false alarms caused by steam and humidity that typically occur during showers or baths. If smoke alarms are placed too close to a bathroom, they may be triggered by normal bathroom activities rather than actual smoke from fires, thereby potentially desensitizing residents to genuine alarm conditions. The 3-foot minimum distance is based on fire safety guidelines that balance the need for safety alerts while reducing the likelihood of nuisance alarms. This distance ensures that the alarm remains effective in detecting smoke from a fire without being falsely activated by everyday bathroom use.