Are berkeley fishing rods and reels any good?
at least 2 feet is the rule of thumb I have used when doing residential work, though code doesn't specify for return. Not less than 36 horizontal path from the supply register and outside of the direct air flow.( NFPA72 11.8.3.5 (6)) though you are required to consider the anticipated smoke flows during a fire as it would apply to the ceiling your working with( NFPA72 5.7.3.1.1) As the return air register would suck the air (and thus smoke) towards itself, maybe somewhere in proximity wouldn't be so bad.
1. hit the body if it has a motion sensor. 2. hit the glass if it has a glass sensor. 3. open the door and then close it back. 4. if the sensors are set too high vibration from the road can set it off as well as the heat from the sun.