SMOKE ALARMS: What You Need to Know

Fire safety facts about smoke detectors

• 89% of all homes have a smoke detector.
• 5% of these remain uninstalled.
• 57.9% of homes have fire extinguishers.
• 37% of smoke detector owners check their alarms once a month.
• 43.3 % check their alarms less than once a month.
• 19.7% never check their alarms.
• Between 27-30% of homes have at least one non-functioning smoke alarm.

Home Fire Safety Tips:

1. Get smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
2. Get a fire extinguisher. It is required by your homeowners insurance.
3. Make an escape plan, especially if you have a two story house and kids.
4. Test your alarms monthly.

Some sites for additional fire safety facts:

http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/index.aspx

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/national/

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/quickstats/

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/firefighters/

The Impact of Smoke Alarms

In the 1960's, the average U. S. citizen had never heard of a smoke alarm. By 1995, an estimated 93 percent of all American homes - single - and multi- family, apartments, nursing homes, dormitories, etc. - were equipped with alarms. By the mid 1980's, smoke alarm laws, requiring that alarms be placed in all new and existing residences - existed in 38 states and thousands of municipalities nationwide. And smoke alarm provisions have been adopted by all of the model building code organizations.

Fire services across the country have played a major and influential public education role in alerting the public to the benefits of smoke alarms. Another key factor in this huge and rapid penetration of both the marketplace and the builder community has been the development and marketing of low cost alarms by commercial companies. In the early 1970's, the cost of protecting a three bedroom home with professionally installed alarms was approximately $l000; today the cost of owner-installed alarms in the same house has come down to as little as $10 per alarm, or less than $50 for the entire home. This cost structure, combined with effective public education (including key private-public partnerships), has caused a huge percentage of America's consumers, whether they are renting or buying, to demand smoke alarm protection. The impact of smoke alarms on fire safety and protection is dramatic and can be simply stated. When fire breaks out, the smoke alarm, functioning as an early warning system, reduces the risk of dying by nearly 50 percent. Alarms are most people's first line of defense against fire.

In the event of a fire, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms will provide an early warning signal to your household. This alarm could save your own life and those of your loved ones by providing the chance to escape.

Why should my home have smoke alarms?
In the event of a fire, a smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are the single most important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal -- so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety features you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family and your home.

Okay, where do I put them?
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or in the early morning. For extra safety, install smoke alarms both inside and outside the sleeping area.

Also, smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or 6 to 8 inches below the ceiling on side walls. Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Are smoke alarms hard to install?
Not a bit. In most cases, all you will need is a screwdriver. However, be sure to follow the directions from the manufacturer because each brand is different. If you are uncomfortable standing on a ladder, ask a relative or friend for help. Some fire departments will actually install a smoke alarm in your home for you. Call your local fire department (again, on a non-emergency telephone number) if you have problems installing a smoke alarm.

How do I keep my smoke alarms working?
Smoke alarms are very easy to take care of. There are two home fire safety tips to remember.

1. Simply replace the batteries at least once a year.
   Home Fire Safety Tip: Pick a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year on that day. Some smoke alarms now on the market come with a ten-year battery. These alarms are designed to be replaced as a whole unit, thus avoiding the need for battery replacement. If your smoke alarm starts making a "chirping" noise, replace the batteries and reset it.
   
2. Keep them clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their operation, so vacuum over and around your smoke alarm regularly.

What if the alarm goes off while I'm cooking?

Then it's doing its job. Do not disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to cooking or other non-fire causes. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking. Instead, clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm, leaving the batteries in place. The alarm may have to be moved to a new location. Most of our smoke alarms have Firex patented false alarm control. This allows you with a touch of a button to disable the alarm for 15 minutes.

How long will my smoke alarm last?
About eight-to-ten years, after which it should be replaced. Like most electrical devices, smoke alarms wear out. You may want to write the purchase date with a marker on the inside of your unit. That way, you'll know when to replace it. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacement.

Type of Alarms

I – Ionization... A small quantity of radioactive material (Americium 241) in the ionization detector’s sensing chamber throws off a constant stream of radioactive particles which, in turn, create an electric charge in the chamber. Smoke entering the chamber thus reduces the electric charge, causing the alarm to sound. Ionization detectors are designed to sense superheated gases of flaming fires in their earliest stages

P – Photoelectric... When smoke enters the sensing chamber a light beam is broken up or deflected, causing the alarm to sound. Photoelectric devices detect smoldering fires before they reach a flaming condition. They can also sense the smoke from a flaming fire.

H – Heat Alarms are sensitive only to a fixed temperature and intended for use in the kitchens, basements, garages, and boiler rooms. They should never be used exclusively. Remember heat is not the killer. Smoke is the killer in home fires.

B – Biomimetic is a type of carbon monoxide detector that provides the best protection from carbon monoxide poisoning available3

Interconnect

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends interconnecting smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors so that when one alarm senses a problem and sounds its alarm, al others will sound as well. You cannot connect one brand of alarm with another. In most cases up to 18 Firex devices can be connected. This allows you to have a maximum of 12 smoke alarms and up to 6 heat, carbon monoxide, or combination alarms. Consult the manual and specification for more details.

False Alarm Control

Feature to quiet unwanted alarms as a safety precaution to discourage users from removing the battery during a non-threatening alarm.

Hardwired

This means that the alarm is wired with 120 volt household current. Typically they have a battery backup.

Latching LED

This feature allows you to identify the alarm that initiates all of the alarms in an interconnected system. It is identified by a flashing red LED and the LED will remain flashing until the test button is pressed.