Questions and Answers Concerning Smoke Detectors
Why do I need smoke detectors? Most fire deaths happen at night, while people are asleep. This makes early fire detection and warning especially important. Contrary to popular belief, the smell of smoke may not wake a sleeping person. The poisonous gases and smoke produced by a fire can numb the senses and put you into a deeper sleep.
Inexpensive household smoke detectors sound an alarm, alerting you to a fire. By giving you time to escape, smoke detectors cut your risk of dying in a home fire nearly in half. Smoke detectors save so many lives that most states have laws requiring them in private homes. Arizona is one of these states.
How many smoke detectors do I need or is required? Minimum protection required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is installing a smoke detector outside each sleeping area, and one on every level of the home, including the basement. On floors without bedrooms, detectors should be installed in or near living areas such as dens, living rooms, or family room.
Be sure everyone sleeping in your home can hear your smoke detectors’ alarms even with bedroom doors closed. If not, or if any residents are hearing- impaired, install additional detectors inside bedrooms. For the hearing impaired, there are smoke detectors that flash a strobe light in addition to sounding an audible alarm.
The NFPA suggests installing additional detectors in hallways, dining rooms, utility rooms and furnace rooms for added protection. Smoke detectors are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, or garages – where cooking fumes, steam, or attics and other unheated spaces – where humidity and temperature changes might affect a detector’s operation.
Choosing a Detector? Dozens of brands of smoke detectors are for sale in hardware, department, and discount stores. Be sure that the smoke detector you buy bears the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as UL or FM.
There are several types of detectors available. Some run on batteries, others on household current (now smoke detectors have both, usually for new construction or major remodeling). While some detectors use an ionization sensor, others use a photolectric detection system. Regardless of which type you use, all approved smoke detectors will provide adequate protection if they are properly installed and maintained.
- Ionization Smoke Detectors- These units detect the fire’s visible and invisible smoke particles. Smoke reduces the electric current within the unit, which in turn starts the alarm.
- Photoelectric Smoke Detector- These units also detect smoke particles, but only those large enough to be “seen” by the unit. Within the detectors the beam of light’s path is blocked by the smoke.
Both types of smoke detector provides you with an early warning of fire.
There are units available that have both ionization and photoelectric detection within the smoke detector unit. These should improve detector reliability by reducing false alarms.
Why do I get false alarms? A smoke detector false alarm can be initiated by small dirt particles, smoke from cooking, placement to close to flourescent lighting fixtures, and dust or temperature extremes. These may be present in garages, kitchens and attics. Fresh paint fumes can get heavy enough to cause a false alarm, so air out freshly painted rooms. Steam from bathrooms can also cause a false alarm.
Where do I install smoke detectors? Because smoke rises, mount detectors high on a wall or on the ceiling. Units mounted on the wall should be between 6 and 12 inches from the ceiling. Celing-mounted detectors should be installed at least 6 inches away from the nearest wall. In rooms with pitched ceilings, mount the detector at or near the ceilings highest point. Do not place detectors within 6 inches of where the wall and ceiling meet, on either surface. This is a “dead air” space that gets little air circulation. Instructions for installation and placement should accompany the unit. Follow these instructions precisely.
How do I test the smoke detector? All smoke detectors are required to have a test button installed on them; this test button checks all functions of the smoke detector. Most smoke detectors have test buttons, if yours does not then you should replace it with a model that does. Every 30 days this test should be done.
When do I replace the smoke detector battery? Batteries weaken with age, and must be checked and replace at regular intervals (usually every 9 – 12 months). Battery power units that are listed by UL or FM will generate a beeping sound (usually at night when you trying to sleep) to indicate when the batteries need to be replaced. Remember having a detector with dead batteries is the same as having no detector at all. There are newer smoke detectors out there that have batteries that last 10 years.
When do I replace the Smoke detector? Studies show that untested smoke detectors lose about half of their dependability after a 5 to 7 year period. Smoke detectors should be replaced about 8 to 10 years. Read the manufacturers instructions as they usually have recommendations.
Do I clean my smoke detector? Yes! -Your detectors sensitivity can be affected by dust. Since most detectors need to be cleaned at least once a year you can use your vacuum cleaner to clear out the dust. Read the manufacturers instructions manual.
What To do When The Detctor Sounds!!
How your family responds in a fire depends on how well you’ve prepared.
- Make sure everyone is familiar with the sound of the detector’s alarm.
- Plan routes of escape. Know at least two ways out of each room. Agree on a meeting place outside your home where all residents will gather after they escape.
- Practice your escape plan at least twice a year, and teach every member of your household these survival techniques.
- Crawl Low Under Smoke. Crawl to the nearest safe exit on your hands and knees if you must escape through a smoke filled area. Poisonous gases and smoke rise. Keep your head 12 to 24 inches above floor.
- Stop, Drop, and Roll. If your clothes catch fire, stop, don’t run. Drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll over and over to smother the flames.
- Once the alarm sounds, exit the building as quickly as possible and go to your meeting place. Then call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone.
- Once you’re out, stay out. Never return to a burning building.
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