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Home » smoke-detector » Smoke Alarms You Cant Live Without Them!
Smoke Alarms You Cant Live Without Them!
Smoke alarms are critical to life safety in all environments. There are many types available for purchase. It is important to determine which type best suits the environment in which it is placed.
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Fire's toll spurs actionLong Beach Press-Telegram, CA - 9 hours agoBy Tracy Manzer, Staff Writer Long Beach Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Garcia displays a smoke detector that the city...
First lets learn a bit about the types of detectors available. Smoke Alarms are classified into three classes based on the type of sensor technology used to detect smoke or fire.
Safety Tip
A variety of factors contribute to heating mishaps. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless toxic gas and can easily enter the home through faulty furnaces or gas-fired room heaters or be trapped inside by blocked chimney flues. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of flu-like illnesses and include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and irregular breathing.
Ionization Smoke Alarms
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Respond somewhat faster to flaming fires.
The vast majority of home fires are flaming fires.
Photoelectric Smoke Alarms
Respond somewhat faster to smoldering fires.
Recommended for households where a smoker is present because cigarettes cause most smoldering fires.
Recommended for home kitchens or cooking areas prone to nuisance alarms from cooking.
Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms
The dual technology smoke alarm consists of both Photoelectric and Ionization smoke sensing technologies in one unit.
For Complete Protection, it is wise to use both Ionization and Photoelectric Smoke and Fire Alarms in Your Home. If needed, special smoke alarms that include a strobe for high visibility are available for the hearing impaired.
Also, a very important consideration is whether to use hardwired or battery operated smoke alarms. Clearly, the best option is to use a hardwired smoke alarm with battery backup. A close second is a long-life smoke alarm that has a 10 year lithium battery preferably sealed to prevent tampering.
Some smoke alarms are combined with a carbon monoxide alarm in the same unit. The Kidde version of this alarm has a talking alarm feature which alerts the occupant whether the alarm is for smoke or carbon monoxide. This technology is very useful in protecting against both hazards.
New wireless interconnectable systems are now available. These affordable systems work by placing alarms and or relay sounders in all areas of the dwelling. Then, when one alarm is activated, all of the alarms are triggered to provide a warning for all occupants. This is the ideal way of providing smoke alarm coverage.
Regardless of what brand or type of smoke alarm you purchase, make sure you place the units near sleeping areas and in places where occupants can clearly hear the alarm sounding.
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