A Consumer Guide to Smoke Detectors

Necessity of Smoke Detector

• Smoke detectors save lives. Many people are under the false assumption that in the event of a fire, they and their family members will be able to escape the premises before suffering any harm. The truth is that during a typical home fire, occupants only have about two minutes to escape the building, according to the University of Illinois Extension website. The presence of a smoke detector reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by 50 percent. Many fatal fires occur while occupants are sleeping; this greatly reduces the chances of noticing a fire or the presence of smoke without being alerting by a smoke detector.

Types

• Three basic types of smoke detectors exist: ionization, photoelectric and dual sensors. Ionization smoke detectors work well in alerting individuals of fast-flaming fires, but are not as effective in detecting smoldering flames that result from upholstery or electrical fires. Photoelectric alarms emit a small beam of light. When smoke particles interfere with the beam, the alarm sounds. They react faster to smoke than flames. Dual sensor alarms have both photoelectric and ionization features and are best at alerting occupants to fire hazards, according to the University of Illinois Extension website.

Installation

• Every floor of a home or building must have a dual-sensor alarm or both a photoelectric and ionization smoke detector. Placing them inside and outside bedrooms and other sleeping areas provides extra protection. Avoid placing smoke detectors near heating or air vents, near windows or outside doors, in kitchens, bathrooms or garages. The exhaust fumes in a garage, cooking smoke, humidity and drafts may all cause false and annoying alarms. Many smoke detectors are self-adhesive. You simply peel off the strip and place the detector in the appropriate locations. Others are hard-wired to alert occupants of danger in any part of the home or building. These must be installed by an electrician, and have a battery backup to ensure the occupants' safety during power outages. Detectors mounted on the ceiling must be placed at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall. Wall-mounted units must be positioned 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. Read the directions carefully on your particular brand to ensure correct installation.

Maintenance

• Many homeowners and building managers have smoke detectors, yet they fail to maintain them properly. This is dangerous because a detector with a dead, disconnected or weak battery does not alert the occupants of a building to existing smoke or flames, thus giving them less of a chance to escape. Push the button on the smoke detectors once every month to ensure it is working properly. It emits a short, loud alarm if the batteries are still strong and it is working properly. If your smoke detector begins to chirp, this is a sign that the batteries are weak. Change the batteries once a year in smoke detectors. Designate a certain day that you can easily remember to change them, such as a birthday, an anniversary or a holiday. Detectors only have a life span of about 8 to 10 years; replace them after this time to ensure your family's safety. Dust or vacuum the fire alarms regularly. Dust or cobwebs may interfere with their efficiency. Don't decorate the alarms with paint, stickers or anything else for the same reason.