Smoke Detectors
There are several types of detectors available for
the home, smoke, carbon monoxide and heat. Some manufacturers sell duel
purpose smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. It is important to remember
each type of detector has its purpose. Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors
don’t function as smoke detectors and smoke detectors don’t function as
carbon monoxide detectors and heat detectors will not function as smoke
or carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors detect the products
of combustion generated by a fire. Carbon monoxide detectors detect the
carbon monoxide produced from incomplete combustion of fuel. Heat
detectors detect when a fire has raised the temperature near the
detector to a certain level.
When installing detectors in your home you should use
a combination of heat, smoke and carbon monoxide detector in order to
provide comprehensive coverage for your home. When installing a detector
carefully read and follow the manufactures installation instructions
that come with the unit for each make and model you are installing. If
you install a battery operated detector check the batteries ever six
months and replace them every year.
Check the internet for more information on smoke
detectors and check with specific manufactures for their recommendations
for the proper use of their product.
Smoke Detectors
The majority of home fire fatalities occur at night
when the people are sleeping. Most victims die from smoke inhalation and
toxic fumes long before the fire reaches them. People think that they
will be awaken by the smell of smoke, but all to often this is not the
case . The smoke and fumes from a fire actually puts them into a deeper
sleep. It is a documented fact that smoke detectors can save
lives. It is important to test smoke detectors on a regular basis for
proper function and check the batteries in battery powered smoke
detectors every 6 months and replace once a year. It has been estimated
that one third of all residential smoke detectors in the United States
don’t function properly.
Types of Smoke Detectors
1. Ionization Smoke Detectors
2. Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
3. Combination
Ionization/Photoelectric Detectors
What ever type of smoke detector you get, be sure it
is certified by Underwriters Laboratories (look for UL seal) or Factory
Mutual . Some companies make smoke detectors that can be silenced for
several minutes during a false alarms, these models are intended for use
in the kitchen where smoke from cooking can set off the alarm. Some
smoke detectors come with built in lights that turn on when the alarm
sounds, these models are intended to illuminate stairways or hallways
during a fire. Still other smoke detectors are designed to send a signal
to the other smoke detectors in a house so if one sounds an alarm they
all sound an alarm. Smoke detectors can be local systems that only sound
in the house or they can be part of a security system that will notify
the alarm company in case of a fire.
Also available are combined smoke/carbon monoxide
detectors, in addition to detecting smoke these devices detect high
levels of carbon monoxide, a dangerous colorless, odorless gas.
You will also have to decide whether to get a battery
operated unit, one that is connected to your home’s electrical system or
units that are connected to your home’s electrical system with a
battery backup.
Electrical units have the advantage of never having
to worry about or changing dead batteries. The disadvantage is that the
alarm won't sound if the power is out.
Battery units have the advantage of working when the
power is out, assuming the battery is not dead and they can be installed
by the home owner. The disadvantage is that the smoke detector must be
checked regularly to make sure the battery is not dead and the batteries
must be replace every 6 months.
The units with both an electrical connection and
battery back up eliminate most of the disadvantages, but are more
expensive.
Placement
To properly protect you the smoke detectors must be located in
the proper place and in sufficient quantities. It is recommended that
you have a smoke detector on every level of your house, including the
basement and attic.
At minimum you should have two smoke detectors in
your home. You should have a smoke detector inside each bedroom, in the
hallway outside sleeping areas and at the bottom of each stairwell. Also
consider putting a smoke detector in the laundry room.
Smoke detectors should be placed on the ceiling at
lest four inches away from walls. On a pitched or cathedral ceiling,
place the detector near the ceiling’s highest point. Keep smoke
detectors away from ceiling fans and air ducts. If you mount the smoke
detector on a wall, it should be placed between 6 and 12 inches below
the ceiling.
Keep smoke detectors away from bathrooms, the steam
from a shower can cause a false alarm.
Tips
It has been estimated that one third of all residential smoke
detectors in the United States don’t function properly.
- Test your detector - Test your detectors regularly . All units should have a test button or other method to test the detector
- Check your batteries - Check batteries ever six months and replace them every year. Most units chirp to warn you of a low battery
- Don’t ignore alarms -Smoke detectors don’t sound for no reason. If unit was more than its share of false alarms, replace it.
- Keep detectors clean - At least once a year, vacuum out any dust and clean away any cobwebs near the detector.
- Never paint a smoke detector - Painting can block the vents in the cover and prevent the smoke detector from working properly.
- Replace your smoke detector -Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide is a by product of combustion, it is present when ever
some thing is burned. Carbon monoxide can be produced by gas or oil
furnaces, fireplaces, space heater, wood burning stoves, water heaters,
clothes dryers, oven and ranges, grills, cars and any open flame. Carbon
monoxide can enter the home, among other ways through blocked, loose or
damaged chimneys or vent pipes and by running a car inside a garage.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. The only
safe and reliable way of detecting carbon monoxide in the home is with a
Carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is one of the leading causes
of poisoning deaths in the United States. Many victims are aware that
something is wrong but become so disoriented that they are unable to
save themselves.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are
headaches, dizziness nausea and light-headedness.
Carbon monoxide detectors can be local systems that
only sound in the house or they can be part of a security system that
will notify the alarm company in case of a high concentration of carbon
monoxide.
You will have to decide whether to get a battery
operated model, one that is connected to your home’s electrical system
or models that are connected to your home’s electrical system with a
battery backup. If you purchase a battery operated model it is important
that you regularly check and replace the battery. What ever type of
detector you get make sure it is certified by Underwriters Laboratories
(look for UL seal)
Caron monoxide detectors should be replaced every
five to six years or as recommended by its manufacturer.
Placement
Proper placement of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is
important. It is recommended that you have a carbon monoxide on every
floor of your home, including the basement and within ten feet of every
bedroom door and if you have an attached garage near or over the garage.
For added protection located a detector in every bedroom,. If you are
only going to have one it should be located near the sleeping area.
Carbon monoxide detectors should not be installed next to or directly
above fuel-burning equipment, within fifteen feet of cooking or heating
equipment or in a very humid location such as a bathroom.
Manufactures have different recommendations of where
to mount the detector. When installing a detector carefully read and
follow the manufactures installation instructions that come with the
unit for each make and model you are installing.
Tips
- Don’t operate a charcoal grill in an enclosed space
- Don’t run a car inside a closed or attached garage
- Makes sure furnaces, heaters and other appliances are in good working order and properly vented
- If a CO alarm goes off, turn off appliances and get fresh air into the home by opening all windows and doors.
- If someone is exhibiting signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 and immediately move to an area with fresh air. Make sure everyone is accounted for and don’t re-enter the house.
- If you other family members have re-occurring bouts of flu-like symptoms while at home and you are using fuel burning appliances, have your appliances checked by a professional. Often these symptoms will disappear when leave the home or go outside only to return shortly after returning home.
- If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak or CO poisoning, have your home professionally inspected. Have them check all fuel-burning appliances for proper installation and operation. Make sure they check that the appliances are properly vented. Don’t forget that pilot lights produce carbon monoxide, stove and fireplace pilot lights can cause a build-up of CO if not operating properly.
- Have your gas or oil furnaces and other heating equipment serviced and inspected every year. Have them check all flue pipes and vents for improper or loose connections, cracks, gaps, rust, corrosion or blockage.
- Check or replace furnace or appliance filters often.
- Check fireplaces and chimneys for damage, look for blockages, cracks, holes or cave-ins . Have chimneys professionally cleaned once a year. Make sure flue is open before starting a fire.
- Never burn charcoal inside
- Never use an oven or range to heat a house, use them only for cooking.
- Never leave a car running in a closed garage or
an attached garage even if the door is open.
Heat Detector
Heat detectors work by detecting the heat given off
by a fire, they are set to sound an alarm when a specific temperature is
reached. Detectors are available with different temperature setting.
Heat detectors don’t detect fire as soon as smoke
detectors, a smoke detector will sense smoke and sound the alarm before
the flames and heat are hot enough to set off a heat detector. Some
studies have shown that heat detectors may not give you enough warning
to escape a fire, smoke detectors can provide the extra seconds needed
to escape a fire. Heat detectors can still be a valuable because heat
detector can work in areas where smoke detectors aren’t recommended such
as kitchens and garages. When installing detectors in your home you
should use a combination of heat, smoke and carbon monoxide detector in
order to provide comprehensive coverage for your home. Heat detectors
are meant to compliment not replace smoke detectors.
As with other detector types you have to decide
whether to get a battery operated unit, one that is connected to your
home’s electrical system or units that are connected to your
home’s electrical system with a battery backup. You will also have
to decide on a local systems that only sound in the house or one that is
of a security system that will notify the alarm company in case of a
fire.
If you install a battery operated detector check the
batteries ever six months and replace them every year.