Installing a smoke alarm is a task that most homeowners can do themselves. But proper installation and maintenance are critical to ensuring that the siren actually works in an emergency. However, many households are not well equipped.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms (40%), or with non-functioning smoke alarms (17%).
Mistakes happen, but there are steps you can take to ensure your smoke alarms are functioning properly to keep your family and home safe.
1. Mis-triggered siren
Smoke alarms can sometimes annoy residents with false alarms, leading people to wonder if the annoying beeping is based on a real threat. "The biggest cause of false smoke detector alarms is poor placement of the detector," said Rebecca Edwards, a safety expert at SafeWise in Salt Lake City.
Experts advise against installing smoke alarms near doors or ducts. "Draughts can cause false alarms, so keep detectors away from windows, doors, and vents as they can disrupt the proper function of your smoke alarm," Edwards said.
2. Installation too close to the bathroom or kitchen
While placing an alarm near the bathroom or kitchen may seem like a good idea to cover all areas, think again. Mark Dawson, chief operating officer of Mister Sparky Electric in Houston, Texas, said sirens should be placed at least 10 feet away from areas such as showers or laundry rooms. Over time, moisture can damage the siren and eventually cause it to fail, he said.
For appliances like electric stoves or ovens, Dawson also said the alarms should be installed at least 20 feet away because they can generate burning particles.
3. Forget about basements or other rooms
Often overlooked basements also need an alarm. According to the May 2019 First Fire Alarm Study, only 37 percent of respondents said smoke alarms were installed in basements. However, basements are equally at risk of fire.
Lisa Braxton (Lisa Braxton), a spokesperson for NFPA1, said: "No matter where you are in your home, you want smoke alarms to remind you." Therefore, Braxton recommends installing smoke alarms on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs to the next-floor Smoke alarm in the basement.
As for installing the rest of the house, it's important to have it in every bedroom, outside of every individual bedroom area, and on every floor of the house. Requirements for siren installation vary by state and territory, so it's best to check with your local fire department for current requirements in your area.
4. Smoke alarms without connectivity
Interconnected smoke alarms communicate with each other and form an integrated protection system that can warn you of a fire no matter where it is in your home. For best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms in your home, Braxton says.
They all make a sound when one sounds. For example, if you are in the basement and there is a fire on the second floor, the alarm will go off in the basement, second floor, and the rest of the house, giving you time to escape.
5. Install the same type of smoke detector
There are two types of smoke alarms, photoelectric and ionization, that detect different types of fires. Photoelectric alarms detect smoldering (smoldering) fires, and ionization alarms respond to actual flames.
Alan Singer of Sterling Home Inspections in Armonk, N.Y., says there are many options for smoke alarms in stores, but the best option is a sensor alarm with photoelectric and ionizing capabilities. It's also great to have a combination of both types of alarms in your home.
6. Forgetting to maintain or replace batteries
Proper placement and installation is the first step in making sure your alarm works properly. But Ashley Gocken, brand and communications manager at fire safety products company First Alert, said many people don't maintain their sirens once they're installed.
More than 60 percent of consumers don't test their smoke alarms monthly, Gocken said. All sirens should be tested regularly and batteries replaced every 6 months (if they are battery operated).
"Newer sirens come with 10-year batteries, but older models have replaceable batteries," Singh said. "If the alarm goes off, it's calling for a new battery. Replace the battery immediately to maintain protection." Sirens don't last forever—even if they need to be replaced every 10 years. If you can't remember, or don't know how old your siren is, it's best to replace the batteries right away, says Gocken.
Author: Written by Anna Zhang He from S4A INDUSTRIAL CO., LIMITED
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