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| Fire
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Fire Prevention
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Smoke Detectors |
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Smoke Detectors
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Every home should have a working
smoke detector. By today’s standards you should have a smoke detector
on each floor, in the hallway outside sleeping areas, and in each
bedroom. It is recommended that smoke detector
batteries be changed at least twice a year when clocks are change.
Additionally, smoke detector manufacturers advise that detectors
should be replaced every ten years. All smoke detectors should be
tested once a month to ensure proper operation.
Three
basic types of smoke detectors are currently on the market:
1.
Ionization detectors
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Most common
detector found in homes today.
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Can be
purchased as battery operated, hardwired, or hardwired with battery
back-up.
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They are the
detectors normally installed in new home construction.
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They are
generally the detectors distributed in most fire department smoke
detector give away programs.
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Best at
detecting fast moving fires e.g. kitchen grease fires.
2.
Photoelectric detectors
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Least common detector.
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Can be purchased as battery operated, hardwired, or hardwired
with a battery backup.
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Not usually installed in new home construction.
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Best at detecting slow, smoldering fires e.g. cigarettes
burning in couches or bedding.
3. Combination detectors
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Use ionization and photoelectric technology.
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Can be purchased as a battery operated unit only.
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Not installed in new home construction. Building codes
generally require a hardwired detector with a battery backup.
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Good at detecting both fast moving and slow smoldering fires.
All three
detectors are generally available at your local hardware or retail
stores.
If you want to
get out of a fire alive, ensure that you have properly operating smoke
detectors in your home.
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The mission
of the St. Charles Fire Department is:
· Service without boundaries;
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Compassion and Integrity in all that we do;
·
Courage to move forward.
Ernie Rhodes,
City of St. Charles
Fire
Chief
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Introduction