Smoke Alarm Facts

Smoke detectors are designed to alert people to seek safety in the event of fires in dwellings and other buildings. But merely having the devices installed is not enough to ensure safety. Care and consideration must be given to choosing the right smoke detectors, proper installation and ensuring regular testing and maintenance.

Why You Need Them

Firesafety.gov reports that 3,000 people die in residential fires every year in the United States, and the majority succumb to smoke or other deadly gasses. Meanwhile, National Fire Protection Association statistics show the death rate for every 100 reported fires was more than twice as high in homes without smoke detectors than at dwellings equipped with the devices. Simply put, smoke detectors provide the warning people need to clear out of buildings before flames and smoke become so intense that escape becomes impossible.

Where to Install Smoke Alarms

FireSafety.gov recommends placing smoke detectors on every level of a dwelling or building, in hallways and corridors outside of all sleeping areas and in all bedrooms. Install the devices in the center of ceilings or on walls 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling for best results.

The Types to Consider

Two main types of smoke detectors are available: ionization and photoelectric.

In ionization smoke detectors, a chamber contains two plates that generate an electric current. If smoke interrupts that current, an alarm sounds. These tend to respond more rapidly in cases of high flames.

Photoelectric smoke detectors incorporate a light beam that shines into a receptor inside the devices. If smoke interrupts the beam in any way, the alarm sounds. These respond quickest to long smoldering fires.

Both types are considered effective, and some detectors combine both types of technology for the best of both worlds.

Wired or Battery

Many new-construction builders hard-wire smoke detectors into the electrical systems of homes and businesses. But be sure to install batteries in these detectors for backup in case of power outages. A smoke detector without juice will save no lives.

Care and Maintenance

Regular testing is key to ensuring smoke detectors are in good working order. Once a month, make sure the batteries have power and that audio systems are functioning by pressing the colored button on the face of the detector. When pressing and holding the buttons on most types for a couple of seconds, the smoke alarm should sound until you remove your finger. Follow the manufacturers' recommendations for the frequency with which batteries -- and sometimes the detectors themselves -- should be changed.

References

• Fire Safety.gov For Citizens
• National Fire Protection Association smoke alarm facts