Fire Detectors -- A sound you can live with

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kyle George
  • 6th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Imagine yourself at home, with your family, tucked in and sleeping soundly. Suddenly, a sharp siren pierces the silence of the night. You recognize the sound, it's your smoke detector, and it's screaming the early warning that something isn't right. Although at first it's terrifying gathering your family and getting out of the house, you've practiced for this occasion and everyone is safe. Whether or not it turns out to be a false alarm, the important thing is your family is out of harm's way. You can rest easy knowing that a thought out prevention plan may have saved your lives.

This year's focus during fire prevention week is just that, early warning and life saving through the proper use of smoke detectors. In the worst case scenario, when fire strikes your home, you can be saved by simply making sure your alarm system is checked and working properly on a routine basis. Although this is a simple task, it can be confusing figuring out the different types of detectors and how to maintain them accordingly.

There are two types of smoke alarm technologies, ionization and photoelectric. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, like a pan fire or the smoke from cooking. A photoelectric alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires, like a cigarette, overheated wiring, or something hot like a space heater. Install both types of alarms in your home or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms that take advantage of both technologies.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. Larger homes may need additional smoke alarms. Never remove or disable smoke alarms. Test smoke alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button. If an alarm "chirps," warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away. All smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and those that are hard-wired alarms, should be replaced when they're 10 years old, or sooner, if they don't respond properly when tested. Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.

Interconnection of smoke alarms is highly recommended; when one smoke alarm sounds, they all do. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals. A licensed electrician can install hard-wired multiple-station alarms. Wireless alarms, which manufacturers have more recently begun producing, can be installed by the homeowner. Combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarm can be found for less than $50 at your local hardware store.

Smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing

There are some smoke alarms with strobes or the ability to be used with strobes, also called visible notification appliances that signal to awaken those that are deaf or those with profound hearing loss. The use of tactile notification appliances, such as a pillow or bed shaker, is also now required, and activated by the sound of the smoke alarm. The means for signaling to awaken those who are hard of hearing is through the use of a complex low frequency audible signal. Smoke alarms currently on the market do not produce this signal. However, separate notification appliances are available that do produce this signal, and are activated by the sound of the smoke alarm.

This information is suitable for the making of a successful home fire prevention plan. Other information can be found online at http://www.nfpa.org. Don't ignore the importance of early detection and warning. When it comes to your loved ones, you can never be too safe. So go home and talk to your family, check the detectors in your house, and come up with an emergency plan of action. Remember, the best plan is a well executed plan.