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Emergency Preparedness

Guide Book

SMOKE ALARMS

     Smoke alarms are considered to be the most effective low-cost early-warning device available.  They are easy to acquire and simple to install and maintain.  Most people who die in house fires don’t die in the room where the fire began.  Smoke alarms alert you to developing fire and give you time to escape.

     The first rule is to be sure to buy one that has been approved.  

     There are several common types of home smoke alarms and your options are simple to understand.

     Power:  Some smoke alarms are powered by batteries, others are designed to be plugged in or hard wired to the household electrical system.

     Battery powdered alarms are easy to install and comply to most jurisdictions’ codes and bylaws. 

     Batteries should be replaced once each year or whenever the low battery warning sounds.

     Alarms that use lithium power-cells that are designed to last for 10 years, eliminate the need for annual battery changing.  

     All smoke alarms require monthly testing.

     Sensing systems:  Most smoke alarms use one of two common sensing systems.  All tested and approved smoke alarm offer adequate protection.

• Ionization type: Smoke alarms pass an electric current through a sensing chamber.  When smoke enters the chamber it interrupts the current flow and activates the alarm.

• Photoelectric type: Smoke alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber.  Smoke entering the sensing chamber reflects the light onto the photocell and activates the alarm.

     Some newer models offer other features.

     Hush button:  Smoke alarms with an alarm-pause, or hush feature, allow you to shut off the unit temporarily.  They are intended to allow people to respond to nuisance alarms triggered by non-threatening circumstances such as burnt toast or a smoky oven. Pressing the hush button de-activates the alarm for 8 – 10 minutes after which it automatically re-activates.

     This feature is designed to eliminate the dangerous practice of removing alarm batteries.

     For the Hearing Impaired:  Alarms are available that flash a strobe-like light in addition to sounding a sonic alarm.  There are also alarms with lower pitched sounds that the hearing impaired may hear. (See Also)

     Heat Detectors:  Where smoke alarms are not recommended such as kitchens and bathrooms, you can install heat detectors. But never substitute heat detectors for smoke alarms outside those two areas.

     Generally smoke alarms are triggered earlier than heat detectors.  The delay could be fatal.

How many do you need?

     Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home including the basement. 

     You should sleep with your bedroom doors closed to slow the spread of smoke and fumes if there is a fire. 

     If people in your house sleep with doors closed, install interconnected alarms in the sleeping areas.

     Smoke alarms are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, attics or garages because nuisance alarms caused by cooking fumes, steam, or automotive exhaust are common in these areas.

     Sometimes small children don’t wake up to the sound of smoke alarms.  Test the alarms outside children’s bedrooms while the children are asleep to check their response.

Installation

     How:  To install most battery-operated alarms all you need are a screwdriver and a drill.

     Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and be sure your smoke alarms are securely in place.  

     Some smoke alarms operate on household current.  An alarm that plugs into an electrical outlet must be installed with a retraining device so the plug cannot be pulled out by mistake. 

     Alarms can also be hard-wired directly into your home’s electrical system.  Hard-wired installations must be done by a qualified electrician.  Never hard-wire an alarm into a circuit that can be turned off by a wall switch.

     Where:  Heat and smoke rise, so all smoke alarms should be installed high on a wall or on the ceiling to detect the first traces of smoke.

• Wall-mounted smoke alarms should be installed so that the top of the alarm is four to twelve inches (10 to 30 centimeters) from the ceiling.
• Ceiling-mounted alarms should be placed at least four inches (10 centimeters) from any wall
• If a room has a pitched ceiling mount the unit at or near the highest point.
• When installing an alarm in a stairway, position the alarm in the path that the smoke would follow up the stairs.
• Don’t install an alarm near a window, door, forced-air register or fireplace where the draft could detour smoke away form the unit.
• Install basement smoke alarms close to the bottom of the stairs.  Don’t install an alarm at the top of the basement stairs: dead air trapped near the closed door could prevent smoke from reaching the unit.

     If you have any questions about installing your smoke alarm, contact your local fire department.  Most fire departments will conduct an inspection.

Maintenance

     Studies have shown that roughly one-fifth of the tens of millions of smoke alarms installed in homes are not in proper working order.  These poorly maintained units endanger occupants by creating a false sense of security.

     Batteries:  Replace batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions or at least once a year.  Never borrow batteries from smoke alarms for other purposes.  Be sure every member of your house knows this is a dangerous practice.  Pick a day, such as the day you move your clocks forward, to change the batteries each year.

     Testing:   Test your smoke alarms at least once a month following the manufacturer’s instructions.  It takes only a moment to test a smoke alarm that could save your life.  If your alarm does not respond to the recommended test procedure, change its batteries.  If it still does not perform, replace the alarm.  It is dangerous to test smoke alarms with open flames.

     Many battery-powered smoke alarms will chirp to warn you that their battery power is low, but there are other reasons a smoke alarm might malfunction.

     Cleaning:   Clean your smoke alarms at least twice a year, using a vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs and dust that can degrade the unit’s sensitivity.  Never paint any part of the smoke alarm.

     Replacement:  Smoke alarms don’t last forever.  If your alarm is performing erratically or is 10 years old or older, replace it.

Nuisance Alarms

     If you have problems with nuisance alarms caused by cooking fumes, steam, etc., do not simply disconnect your smoke alarm.  

     Try another location or another type of alarm (photoelectric or ionization), or one with a hush feature, but keep your home protected.  Always be sure you understand why an alarm is sounding before treating the alarm as a nuisance.