How Important To Have Smoke Detectors In Your Home
It’s important to have enough smoke detectors in your home. Fire research has demonstrated that with today’s modern furnishings, fires can spread much more rapidly than in the past when more natural materials were used. Because of this, having a sufficient number of properly located smoke detectors is essential to maximize the amount of available escape time.
Install smoke detectors in every room of the house with help from a certified firefighter in this free video on home safety.
How to Install a Smoke Detector or Carbon Monoxide Detector
For many years NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, has required as a minimum that smoke detectors be installed inside every sleep room (even for existing homes) in addition to requiring them outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. (Additional smoke detectors are required for larger homes.) Homes built to earlier standards often don’t meet these minimum requirements. Homeowners and enforcement authorities should recognize that detection needs have changed over the years and take proactive steps make sure that every home has a sufficient complement of smoke alarms.
Installing smoke detectors
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Choose smoke detectors that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
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Install smoke detectors inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
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On levels without bedrooms, install detectors in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
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Smoke detectors installed in the basement should be installed on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs leading to the next level.
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Smoke detectors should be installed at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance to minimize false alarms when cooking.
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Mount smoke detectors high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Wall-mounted detectors should be installed not more than 12 inches away from the ceiling (to the top of the alarm).
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If you have ceilings that are pitched, install the detectors within 3 feet of the peak but not within the apex of the peak (four inches down from the peak).
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Don’t install smoke detectors near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.
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Never paint smoke detectors. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the detectors from working.
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For the best protection, interconnect all smoke detectors. When one smoke detector sounds they all sound. Interconnection can be done using hard-wiring or wireless technology.
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When interconnected smoke detectors are installed, it is important that all of the detectors are from the same manufacturer. If the detectors are not compatible, they may not sound.
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There are two types of smoke detectors – ionization and photoelectric. An ionization smoke detectors is generally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke detectors is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of detectors or combination ionization-photoelectric detectors, also known as dual sensor smoke detectors, are recommended.
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Keep manufacturer’s instructions for reference.
We Must Install Smoke Detectors In Our Home
Smoke alarms clearly reduce deaths, injuries and property losses. Householders, salespeople and others still need to be educated about the benefits of smoke alarms and their contribution to fire safety. Governments should consider subsidized installation programs for families who cannot afford to install an alarm. Call (214) 238-8353 us for your home service and repair needs.
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