How to Choose and Install Smoke and Fire Detectors

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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There is a variety of fire/smoke/heat detectors available that can give you and your family time to escape a fire.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Fire Detector
Electric Drill/assorted Bits
Fish Tapes
Multiuse Screws
Screwdriver Sets

Choosing a Detector

Step1

Consider your budget and how much protection you wish to have.

Step2

Choose a product that is UL certified.

Installing the Detector

Step1

Consult with the fire chief or fire marshal of your town concerning rules and regulations for the selection and placement of fire detectors. Do-it-yourselfers may not be permitted to do the work. However, if it is allowed in your town, strictly follow guidelines.

Step2

Gather the following tools: drill, screwdriver, screws, and tools to fish wires through walls.

Step3

Read the installation instructions that come with the sensor.

Step4

Determine where you intend to place the detectors. Make sure they are spread evenly throughout your home.

Step5

Use the drill and screws to mount the detector to the ceiling. If the unit is powered by an internal battery, the job is done.

Step6

Drill a hole in the ceiling and route the wires through the hole and along the ceiling to the wall with the control panel of the security system if the detector will connect to a home security system.

Step7

Connect the wire to the proper input of the control panel.

Tips & Warnings

The least expensive detectors are stand-alone, battery-powered pieces. These detectors can be found as such stores as Sears, Wal-Mart, K-Mart or hardware stores.
More sophisticated detectors are designed to interface with a control panel of a home security system. There are hard-wired and wireless varieties of this type of detector.
Finally, the top level of detector can be monitored by a central monitoring station.
Correct placement of the fire detector is imperative in order to prevent false alarms. These devices should not be put in a bathroom, kitchen or garage, because there are sources or conceived sources of products of combustion, which can trip the sensor.
Consider locations like the foyer or stairway area and a common area near bedrooms.
Some states regulate who can install home security systems. Moreover, the task requires that you be well-skilled doing electrical work. National codes concerning the electrical wiring of a home must also be taken into account.