Smoke Detector and Fire Detector Installation
Introduction: During every winter heating season
there are numerous incidents where people die from smoke
inhalation while sleeping because their homes were not
equipped with a smoke detector or a fire detector to give an alarm.
Most if not all these incidents can be prevented by smoke
and fire detector installation. This is an easy DIY
project for home improvement.
Installing smoke and fire detectors is
one of the best and inexpensive safety features you can add
to your home. In most areas it is mandatory for new home
construction or major renovation. However, if you live in an
older home you should seriously consider installing these
safety features. They cost as little as ten dollars each and
will offer safe guards that will give you early warning of
an impending disaster and will reduce your home insurance
cost.
The typical detector has two standard
components built into a single unit. One is the sensors that
detect smoke or heat and an electronic horn that sounds the
alarm. The two main type of detectors are photoelectric and
ionization and are powered either by house hold current or a
battery.
Ionization smoke
detectors respond first to fast flaming fires.
They are best suited for rooms which contain combustible
material.
Some detectors have
photoelectric detectors that are
miniature cameras that detect fire and are commonly
installed in houses and garages. All detectors that are
powered from household current have a backup battery.
Smoke detectors and fire detectors should be installed on
every floor of the house; however they should not
necessarily be installed in every room. Kitchens and
bathrooms do not typically have detectors installed due to
the normal odors in these areas. There should be a detector
adjacent to these rooms such as the hallways that lead into
the rooms. In a multi level home a detector should be
installed at the top of each stairway. All garages should
also have smoke/fire detectors installed.
These detectors are installed on one
continuous electrical circuit (wired in parallel) so when
one detector alarm goes off they all sound throughout the
house. When installing
detectors ceiling mounted detectors should be placed four
inches away from any corner at the highest part of the
ceiling, however, if you have a cathedral ceiling, do not
place a detector at the high point of the ceiling. They
should not be placed in a corner because corners are dead
air spaces. Wall mounted detectors should be placed on the
wall no more than a foot from the ceiling. Your local fire
inspector, building inspector, or a professional electrician
can offer suggestions as to where to locate detectors that
will be effective in detecting smoke and fire.
There are many
types of smoke and fire detectors; ionization,
photoelectric, beam, and laser. The type you use depends on
its location and the type of material in your house. What
ever type you use, a smoke/fire detector is an inexpensive
way to provide safety and security to your home.
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