Heat detectors placed at the top of an elevator hoist-way should be within ____ inches of each sprinkler.

In elevator hoistways, placing heat detectors in close proximity to sprinklers is crucial for the effective operation and safety of the fire detection and suppression system. The correct distance of 24 inches ensures that the heat detector can accurately respond to any increase in temperature that might indicate a fire before the situation escalates, while still being positioned so that it does not become inactivated by the sprinkler’s discharge.

The distance is specified in fire safety codes and standards to maintain the integrity and functionality of both systems. Maintaining this 24-inch separation helps ensure that the heat detector is not too far from the source of potential fire detection, allowing for timely alerts and reactions while still being sufficiently apart to avoid interference from the sprinklers themselves, especially when they activate during a fire incident.