Posts Tagged ‘smoke detector’

Even the smallest of house fires can fill your home with dangerous smoke in a matter of. It’s vital that you select the correct smoke alarm for your home, have them properly installed and perform regular tests on.

There are two types of residential smoke detectors available: photoelectric and ionization. In a photoelectric detector a beam of light is aimed into a chamber containing a photocell. Smoke goes into the chamber, which then scatters light, allowing some of the light to reach a photocell and set off the alarm. A smoldering fire will set off a photoelectric detector quicker than a flaming fire.

The ionization detector has a small amount of a radioactive element that ionizes the air which gives of a tiny electrical charge. When smoke enters this detector, the current is lowered and sets off the alarm.

Which model of detector works best? Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. A majority of photoelectric units these days are hardwired into your home’s electrical system meaning you will not be protected during a power outage. Ionization models run on house current with a battery back up, but tend to be more susceptible to false alarms. The best of both worlds is to use ionization and photoelectric in different areas of your home.

A general rule is to have a minimum of one smoke detector for every level of your home. You should also keep these guidelines in mind:

Do not install smoke detectors close to the kitchen, furnace, garage, or just outside a bathroom door. Avoid installing smoke detectors in areas where the circulation of air is poor, i.e. corners. Attach each detector to the ceiling, or high on a wall about 8 to 10 inches below ceiling level.

Detectors should be tested on a monthly basis. Almost every model these days comes with a button that makes this quite simple. If you don’t see a test button, simply light a candle, blow out the flame, and hold the smoking wick about 6 inches below the detector. The smoke should set the unit into alarm.

Replace the batteries in battery-powered smoke detectors annually, on a date that you can easily remember such as your birthday, or the day you set your clocks back. While doing this, use a soft brush to clean the inside of the detector and its vents to ensure the unit’s reliability.

For more information about First Alert smoke detectors