Facts about Smoke Alarms
Most fire fatalities occur between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. - when most people are sleeping. Smoke from a residential fire can quickly kill the occupants. A smoke alarm can save those lives.
Is one smoke detector enough?
Generally, several smoke alarms are required to provide full protection. Smoke alarms should be installed on every living level of the home, inside each bedroom, and in the main corridor outside each bedroom area.
Where should I install smoke alarms?
Install a minimum of two smoke alarms even in single level homes. Install a smoke alarm in each bedroom as well as the main corridor outside of the bedroom area. Install a smoke alarm at the top of stairwells.
Are there other considerations?
Mount smoke alarms in the middle of the ceiling, if possible. If not, mount smoke alarms on the wall, at least three feet from a corner and 4-6 inches from the ceiling. Keep smoke alarms a minimum of 3 ft. away from fans or air ducts. Avoid placing the ionization smoke alarms too close to kitchen stoves and bathroom showers. Mount basement smoke alarms at the bottom of the basement stairwell.
What type of smoke alarms are there?
There are two basic types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectronic. Both are effective at detecting fire, yet each has a unique detecting system. Each type of smoke alarm comes as AC- operated smoke detectors or battery- powered smoke detectors. Some AC detectors come with a battery back-up system.
How do I maintain my smoke alarms?
