smoke alarm

Type of the smoke alarm.

Smoke alarm is one of many security devices against fire that you can find in the market. This security system comes in different types and different models so you can have wide variety of choices. However, sometimes people do not know how to choose the best system because they do not have enough understanding about the system. To help you know more about this security system, the author would like to share some information about smoke alarm system to you.moke alarm is a certain security device that is specifically designed to detect smokes in a certain house or building. You can find two different types available in the market. The first one is photoelectric alarm that is designed to detect any smoldering smoke conditions in a certain building or house. Bedding and upholstery fires are some examples of the conditions that could be detected by photoelectric alarm.

The next type is the ionization alarm. This type is specifically designed to detect flaming fire conditions like what usually happen in paper fires. Since both of them are very important in detecting different types of smokes, installing those systems in your house or office building will be highly recommended.

Then, you have to know more about the installation system and the maintenance as well. The most important thing in installing this security system in your house or office building is making sure that this alarm system should be installed in every room, even in the attics and basements. Therefore, fire could be quickly detected so it will not get bigger and destroy the entire part of your house.

You have to regularly clean or vacuum your alarm system so the dirt will not block the sensor. Then, you should also replace the alarm once in 10 years. Your alarm system works almost every single minute everyday so the performance will be decreasing everyday. Furthermore, disable your smoke alarm in annoying situation such as when false alarm occurs is not recommended. It will bring bad effect to the performance of the system.

By knowing well the type of the smoke alarm system and the proper care about it, your home or office building will have less risk of fire. It is quite simple, right?

Basic Tips:

1) Smoke alarms are made to detect two kinds of smoke- smoldering and flaming smoke.  Not all smoke alarms are made to detect both kinds of smoke.  It is best to purchase ones which can detect and alert to either kind of smoke.  These types of smoke alarms are often called dual sensing and can be purchased for under $30.
2) Get an alarm with convenient features.  If it's in your budget, you may want to consider purchasing a smoke alarm with some new and convenient features such as a remote control by which you can mute the alarm in case of a false alarm.  Other features include an easy opening battery box and easy access test button.
3) Many new homes require that smoke alarms get a hard wire instalation. For this you will need an experineced electrician. If you sleep with our doors closed and or have small children in your home, then consider having your smoke alarms hard wired so that when one alarms goes on, then all of the alarms will go on.
4) Special considerations- Research shows that younger children awake quicker to a smoke alarm which uses voice activation.  In other words, the alarm is a loud familiar voice that repeats loudly like an alarm siren.  For the hearing impaired there are also special smoke alarms such as those with strobe lights.

Installation Tips:

1) A smoke alarm should be installed in every bedroom, at the top of every stairwell, in the basement, in the kitchen and in hallways of your choice. There should be a minimum of one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
2) Smoke alarms are best installed on a ceiling or wall. Ceiling smoke alarms should be installed at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall while wall smoke alarms about 12 inches away from the ceiling. Install the alarms at least 20 feet from appliances like furnaces and ovens. For pitched ceilings- The alarm should be installed near the ceilings highest point.
3) Smoke alarms should not be installed near doors, windows, or vents as it could cause them to work inefficiently.

Maintenance Tips:

1) Test your smoke alarm monthly by pressing the test button located on the outside of the alarm.
2) Replace batteries at least twice a year.
3) Never paint over a smoke alarm
4) Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years