Smoke Detectors
and Fire Safety:
Last Revised 03/15/2005
There are five leading causes
of fires at the home:
- Heating sources, like furnaces, wood stoves and space
heaters.
- Cooking
- Arson
- Electrical distribution
- Careless smoking
Smoke detectors can make the
difference... Most deaths occur from smoke rather than
flames. Smoke contains many super-heated poisonous gases
and can cause you to become disoriented.
- 80 percent of all fire deaths take place in residences
not equipped with working smoke detectors.
- Smoke detectors can provide early warning of fires,
allowing time for families to escape and firefighters to
arrive before the fire grows.
- Smoke detectors are inexpensive to buy. Many
between $10 and $20.
- Smoke detectors make great gifts for friends and
relatives.
How they Work....
IONIZATION DETECTORS - - They contain
radioactive material that ionizes the air within the detector
making an electrical path between two sensors. When smoke
enters the detector, the smoke molecules attach themselves to the
ions. The change in electrical current flow triggers the
alarm. These are most effective for sensing flaming fires.
PHOTOELECTRIC DETECTORS - - They contain a light source and a
photocell, which is activated by light. Light from the bulb
reflects off the smoke particles and is directed towards the
photocell. The photocell is then activated to trigger the
alarm. These are most effective for sensing smoldering fires.
Your safest bet is a combination of both types.
Things to consider ...
- Placement - - Which areas of the house are more prone to
fire.
- Size of the home - - How many do you need. In
general, you should have at least one detector per floor.
But for maximum protection, place one in each room.
- Warranty - - Many have a 5-year warranty.
- Malfunction signal - - It warns you when bulbs or
batteries need replacing.
- Sleeping areas - - One detector in a short hallway,
hallways longer than 30 feet should have one at each end.
- Place device at the top of each stairwell and at each end
of a long hallway.
- Keep device away from cooking fumes to avoid false
alarms.
- Basement - - mount close to the stairway (for
example, on the ceiling above the bottom step), but not
at the top of the stairway or near a furnace exhaust.
Placement ...
- On the ceilings keep it at least 4 inches away from the
dead air space near walls and corners.
- On the walls place detectors 4 to 12 inches below
the ceiling and away from corners. Keep them high,
smoke rises.
- Don't place detectors closer than 3 feet from air
registers. This will keep smoke from reaching the
detector
- Don't place on un-insulated exterior walls or
ceiling. Temperature extremes can affect batteries.
Temperature differences may keep smoke from reaching the
detector.
Maintenance...
- Replace batteries every year or as needed. Keep
spares on hand.
- Replace bulbs every three years or as needed. Keep spares
handy.
- Replace damaged detectors.
- Check alarm every 30 days.
- Clean face and grillwork often.
Plan your escape plan
now! NOT when there is a fire!
Return
to Public Safety Tips Index
This
page created May 6, 1998 by Dennis
Gifford
was last updated
03/15/2005