Smoke Detectors - Need to Know

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke detectors save thousands of lives every year.

While conducting regular inspections in your home it is imperative to monitor and test all smoke detectors throughout. Having smoke detectors with dead batteries, that are not installed correctly or that need to be replaced is only putting you and, your family in harm’s way. Working smoke detectors should be a top priority in your home’s safety plan with batteries being tested at least once a month. Also, be sure to keep your smoke detectors clean and dust free for maximum efficiency.

It is important to have working smoke detectors on each floor of your property. Heat and smoke rise and will make its way up stairs and through openings. For this reason, the best place for smoke detectors to be installed is on ceilings. Smoke detectors should be installed in every room and hallway on the property to ensure maximum safety of all occupants.

There are two types of smoke detectors you can choose from when creating a safety plan for your property:

Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light sensor to detect smoke. Smoke enters the detection chamber and blocks the light beam which allows it to reflect light onto the sensor. This, in turn, trips the smoke alarm and warns occupants of a potential fire. Photoelectric smoke detectors are great for early detection of fires as many times there is smoke before there is an actual fire. It gives you time to assess the situation, notify your loved ones and, retreat to safety.

Ionization smoke detectors use ionized particles to detect the presence of smoke. The reaction between radioactive material and two electrically charged plates located in the smoke detector causes the ionization of air and a current between the two plates. Smoke enters the detector, disrupts the current and, triggers the alarm for the safety of the occupants. Ionization smoke detectors tend to perform more effectively with open flame fires as opposed to smoldering fires.

Neither smoke detector is better than the other and to ensure the highest safety for you and your loved ones your property should have both installed. It is also recommended to install both interconnected and hard-wired alarms throughout your property. Interconnected alarms are just that; connected together so if one alarm goes off, they all will go off. Hard wire alarms are connected to the main power supply.

Be sure to replace your alarms every 10 years and have a fire safety plan intact that each property occupant is aware of. No measure is too great in protecting your property and loved ones from an unexpected fire loss. 

If your property takes on smoke or fire damage, please reach out to your local SERVPRO...

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SERVPRO^® of Southern Delaware County & West Chester wants residents and business owners to know that we have the training and state-of-the-art equipment to respond to any water, mold or, fire damage emergency. We will clean and restore your damage “Like it never even happened.”

Call Danielle 610-506-8919