Smoke Detectors

Why install smoke alarms?

• Smoke alarms are your first line of defense. They provide an early warning in the event of fire and may allow you and your family precious time to reach safety.
• According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 75% to 80% of all deaths by fire happen in the home!
• Did you know 1/3 of all smoke alarms are not operating because of dead or missing batteries?
• While many people have good intentions to replace their batteries, they often become busy and forget to do so.

Different smoke alarms for different kinds of fire

Not all fires are the same. A flaming fire devours combustibles quickly, spreads rapidly, and generates considerable heat with little smoke. Ionization type smoke alarms respond more quickly to fast flaming fires.
A smoldering fire generates large amounts of thick, black smoke with little heat and may smolder for hours before bursting into flames. Photo electric type smoke alarms respond more quickly to slow smoldering fires and are less prone to nuisance alarms in the kitchen area.

How to choose a smoke alarm

Look for the features that best meet your needs. Photo electronic models are best suited for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. Large pieces of furniture, such as sofas, chairs, mattresses, counter tops, etc. will burn slowly and create more smoldering smoke than flames.
Ionization models are best suited for rooms, which contain highly combustible materials. Cooking fat/grease, flammable liquids, newspapers, paint, cleaning solutions, etc. will burn very rapidly and create more flames than smoke.

Where to install your smoke alarms

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke alarms be installed in every room and area of your home or building for complete protection. For maximum protection, install one ionization and one photo electronic smoke alarm on each level of your home. There are new smoke alarms available that combine the ionization and photo electric alarms in one unit. These models provide the best overall protection for you and your family.

TIP: Routinely test and clean your smoke alarms to keep them in good working order, and replace your batteries according to the instructions provided with each unit. It is recommended that smoke alarms be replaced every 10 years and that they be tested regularly.