Roz's Edu-Series: Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarms

[DISCLAIMER: Please note, this article was written by a third party and is provided solely for your informational purposes. I cannot and do not warrant nor guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided or their services.]

Once the concept of fire alarms took hold in the 1970’s, it wasn’t long before the fire death rate was cut in half! More then three decades later, most homes have at least one smoke alarm, but we still have a problem – in one quarter of the homes with smoke alarms, the alarms don’t work! Pillar To Post® encourages you to pay more attention to your smoke alarms.

The Benefits of Smoke Alarms

To Wake You: If a fire breaks out while you are asleep, you cannot sense the smoke while you are asleep and will not wake up. This is the main reason we have smoke alarms.

Early Warning: The sooner you know you have a fire, the better the outcome. For a minor fire, early warning may make the difference between quick containment and a fire that is out of control. For a bigger fire, early warning could make the difference between minor damage and complete loss of your home.

Types of Smoke Alarms

The two types of smoke alarms are photoelectric and ionization. Photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting smoldering fires (a cigarette burning a couch) whereas an ionization type is better at detecting flaming fires (burning paper). But both must pass the same certification requirements for all types of fires.

Placement of Smoke Alarms

One smoke alarm per floor including the basement.
Alarms should be placed outside every sleeping area.
Suggested alarms inside each bedroom.
Alarms on the ceiling, should be at least four inches away from any walls. (Peaked ceilings, three feet from the highest point.)
Alarms on the wall, should be between four to twelve inches from the ceiling.
Do not place the smoke alarm where it could be affected by drafts such as next to a window or air vent.

Maintenance

Test the smoke alarm once per month by pressing the test button.
If the smoke alarm is battery operated, replace the battery every year.
If you hear a chirping sound from the smoke alarm, change the battery.
Dust or vacuum the surface periodically.
Replace the entire unit if it is older then 10 years or if you are not sure how old it is.

THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM PILLAR TO POST® HOME INFORMATION SERIES - CONTACT YOUR LOCAL HOME INSPECTOR FOR A FULL VERSION