FireJim's - Detector Information Page

Smoke Detectors..
Save Lives

Why do we need smoke detectors?
Because smoke detectors can save your life - and your family. Most fatal home fires occur at night, while people sleep. Fire produces toxic gases and smoke that actually numb the senses. If you're asleep, or become disoriented by toxic gases, you may not even realize that there is a fire. You can't rely on your own senses to detect a fire.

Is there proof that smoke detectors save lives?
Yes. almost every day, news reports across the country tell of cases where smoke detectors have saves lives. In several instances, the detectors weren't even installed, yet alerted families to fire.
Fire officials continually cite smoke detectors as life savers in home fires.

What about the conflicting claims concerning the two types of smoke detectors - Ionization and photoelectric? Which smoke detector is better?

Ionization models respond slightly faster to open flaming fires while photoelectrics respond faster to smoldering fires. Ideally a home should be protected by at least one of each. If you can afford just one detector a photoelectric is recommended.

Photoelectric smoke detectors use either an incandescent light bulb or a light emitting diode (led) to send forth a beam of light. When smoke enters the detector, light from the beam is reflected from the smoke particles into A photocell sensor and the alarm is triggered.

The ionization chamber smoke detector has a small radiation source that produces radioactive material, electrically charged air molecules called ions. These ions cause a small electric current to flow in the chamber. Smoke particles entering the chamber attach themselves to the ions, reducing the electrical flow. The change in current sets off the alarm (horn).

Installations

Types of Installation

Hardwire Operated
Hardwiring supplies power to the detector from the building's main electrical source and requires electrical expertise to install. If you are going to invest in hardwired smoke alarms it is a good idea to find one that also has a battery backup. That way you will have protection if the electricity is off. That might be an important issue in such cases where the building may have been struck by lighting or you are using alternative heating and lighting sources.

Battery Operated
Battery powered detectors come with instructions for easy mounting. In about a year some detectors will begin to emit "beeps" every minute or so, and will keep this up for a week or longer. This tell the owner that the battery has begun to fall below the safe minimum of power and should be replaced. The newer models may have a long life battery that will last up to 10 years. There are also some newer models that are considered "tamper proof" models and have a battery that is sealed in the detector. In this case it will require that the unit be replaced. These have an expected life of approximately 10 years.

Location of Installation
Detector should be placed on ceiling or on the wall 6 to 12 inches from the ceiling.

Homes with one sleeping area:
Detector should be place centrally located between the bedrooms

Homes with more than one sleeping area:
Detectors should be located in each sleeping area.

Multi story homes:

Detectors should be located on each story of the family living area.
Basement level smoke detector should be installed in or near basement, not at the top of the stairs.

To avoid nuisance alarms place detectors:

Away from furnace or air conditioner vents.
Away from bathroom to avoid steam.
Away from cooking area and fireplace.

If a nuisance alarm persists:

Move detector a few inches in either direction.
Switch type of detector - i.e., Ionization to Photoelectric.
Contact your local Fire Department .

Where not to place Detectors

Detectors should not be placed within 6 inches of where walls and ceilings meet or near heating and cooling ducts. A detector placed in these areas may not receive the flow of smoke required to activate.

Maintenance
It is extremely important to regularly test and clean all detectors.

Replace the batteries in battery-operated units once a year or in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Teach everyone in your house to leave working batteries in smoke detectors and not to use them else where.

They should not be painted.

To test and clean a detector, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Cobwebs and dust can impair a detector's sensitivity, most units should be vacuumed at least once a year.

What should I do if my alarm sounds?

A smoke detector in working condition will usually give you at least 3 minutes to evacuate the house.

It is important to plan home fire drills before you experience a fire so that family members know what to do and can move quickly in the event of real fire. It is good to practice with the lights out since most fires do occur at night.

Plan and know the escape route as well as an alternate escape route.

Especially train children, since they get frightened and tend to hide.

DON'T try to fight the fire yourself.

Get out of the house as quickly as possible, without panic.

Plan a meeting place outside the house so you'll know when everyone has escaped.

Call the Fire Department as soon as you are out of the house from a neighbor's phone or from the nearest telephone...learn where it is.

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Last modified: Tuesday, June 19, 2007