Smoke Alarms/Detectors

Smoke Alarms/Detectors, Fire Alarms/Detectors, Fire Extinguishers and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are vital safety equipment for your family’s safety at home and work. Having smoke detectors/alarms installed in every bedroom and on every level of the house is essential. Make sure that smoke alarms are in close proximity to the areas where children and elderly family members sleep, and that they are loud enough for them to hear. Children and elderly adults are the most likely to sleep through standard smoke alarms, and are the most susceptible to fire related injury and death.  Thing about installing Talking smoke alarms or T3 tone alarms to help awaken sound sleepers.

Making sure that smoke alarms are in top working order is key to making your home fire safe. Check batteries regularly. Another excellent practice in smoke detector maintenance is to have the alarms hard wired into your one hundred twenty volt household wiring, this should only be done by professional electricians. It is also recommended that the detectors are backed up with batteries. Alarms can also be inter-connected so that they all go off if danger is detected anywhere in the house, this ensures that everyone in the area will be alerted and can make their way to safety. 

Most smoke alarms have a 10 year rated life but environmetal conditions can shorten their effective life. Over time hair spray, perfumes, paint fumes, other airborne contaminates, humidity, dust can build up and even small insects can cause random false fire alarms. Too reduce nuisance smoke alarm problems trying cleaning out the dust or bugs with pressurized air or a vacuum cleaner (check manufactures recommendation). 

Have Excel Electrical Services LLC replace all the smoke alarm/detectors every 7 to 10 years with new detection units.

The National Fire Prevention Association offers essential advice for the installation and use of smoke detectors (fire alarms). NFPA offers the following smoke alarm safety tips:

• _{Install new batteries in all alarms once a year or when the alarm chirps to warn that the battery is dying.}
• _{Test units at least monthly. Test the units using the test button or an approved smoke substitute. Clean the units, in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions.}
• _{Do not use an open-flame device for testing because of the danger the flame poses.}
• _{Smoke alarms should be placed inside and outside each sleeping area and on each level of the home, including the basement.}

What kind of smoke detector should I get?

An ion type smoke detector reacts faster to open flaming fires and is usually the least expensive. A photoelectric type smoke detector reacts to smoldering fires and is less likely to react to common nuisance cooking smoke or bathroom steam alarms. Both types provide good protection. If you need more than one detector, you might get one of each type or install combination detectors.

Alarms should be mounted on the wall 4-12 inches down from the ceiling and ceiling-mounted alarms should be positioned 4 inches away from the nearest wall. On a vaulted ceiling, be sure to mount the detector near the highest point of the ceiling.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguisher(s) is another important home safety accessory you need to have and hope you never have to use. It a good idea to have fire extinguisher near the bedroom(s) and in the kitchen area of your home for immediate use on small fires.

Fire Extinguishers are divided into classes based on what extinguishing agents they contain and what type of fires they are used to extinguish.
 

• _{Class A: These are used for paper, wood, cardboard and most plastics that are on fire.}
• _{Class B: This class is for flammable liquids like gas, grease or oil.}
• _{Class C: These are electrical fires from poor wiring, outlets or circuit breaker boxes and appliances.}

Multi-purpose fire extinguishers such as those labeled "B-C" or "A-B-C" are most common types used for a small fire in a home.

Please visit U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) for more detailed information on the proper usage and type(s) of fire extinguishers that might be right for you. USFA recommends that only those trained in the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers consider using them when appropriate.

The Silent Killer

CO Poisoning Install at least one UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average healthy adult would experience symptoms.

The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.

• _{Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.}
• _{Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.}
• _{Never keep a vehicle running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.}
• _{When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house.}

For more information visit ElectricianPDQ Smoke Alarm 

Contact Us today from an appointment a review your smoke alarms and CO detector.

614 863-0588

Excel Electrical Services LLC

Serving the Columbus, Ohio area since 1995 Ohio license # 11410

Baby proofing involves many step for the family safety. We are available and ready to help you with the electrical child proofing safety steps. .