As firefighters, we take pride in knowing how to use the tools of our trade. This includes having expert knowledge on how to use our hand tools, power tools, various nozzles, and highly technical rescue tools.
Another tool in our toolbox – one the public expects us to be proficient with – is the simple residential smoke alarm. While we may not think of the smoke alarm as a tool per se, it is without a doubt a critical piece of equipment. Many fire departments maintain a stock of smoke alarms that they can install in homes as requested by citizens who reside within their department’s response district. The key question: Do we know everything we need to know about smoke alarms in order to best serve our community?
We get asked a lot of questions about a lot of different topics, and while it’s OK not to be an expert on everything, there are certain things that the public expects us to know inside and out – and smoke alarms is one of them. Here are five questions you should be prepared to answer.
1. Where can I get smoke alarms?
This is very simple, but nonetheless, a question that will likely be asked of you at some point in your career. As mentioned, many departments maintain a stock of smoke alarms to provide to the public in their area, particularly to the elderly and those with lower incomes who may find it financially challenging to purchase one. If your department is one of these, it’s a great idea to keep a few on the truck at all times, so when you respond to a medical call and notice the absence of a working smoke alarm, you can install one right on the spot, once patient care has been completed.
If your department does not maintain a stock of smoke alarms, most any home improvement store should have an ample stock. There are numerous online outlets to purchase one as well.
2. What kind of smoke alarm should I get?
Generally speaking, there are two types of smoke alarms – ionization and photoelectric:
- Ionization smoke alarms are optimal for detecting flaming fires that are burning cleaner and have less dense smoke. They work by containing a small amount of radioactive material which ionizes air molecules and creates a small electrical current. When that current is interrupted by smoke, it sets off the alarm.
- Photoelectric smoke alarms work by using a photosensitive cell that alarms when smoke enters the smoke alarm. It is for this reason photoelectric smoke alarms work well with smoldering or dirty fires.
Both types work well, and both have their place. Some smoke alarms are actually a combination of both, which is the optimal solution.
There are also many smoke alarm/carbon monoxide combos on the market. These options are better than not having either type of alarm, but many sources would suggest it is best to have two separate units due to differing characteristics of the gas behaviors and the fact they are detecting two different types of hazards.
There are also options for hearing-impaired individuals. These options are commonly installed on beds, altering the individual by shaking the bed when the alarm activates. There are also options where strobe lights or other lighting will activate in the event the alarm actates.
3. Where should I install a smoke alarm?
We must have a thorough knowledge of smoke alarm location, as it can make a big difference in optimal warning time, not to mention we may be the ones installing the smoke alarm.
The location can vary slightly depending upon local building or fire codes in your area, but in general, per the NFPA, every bedroom or sleeping area needs a smoke alarm. Additionally, hallways and areas outside sleeping areas also should have smoke alarms, as should living rooms or areas near stairways on levels without bedrooms. Basements should also have a smoke alarm. It’s not a bad idea to have smoke alarms in attic spaces as well, especially if electrical or HVAC equipment is present in these areas.
While many fires start in kitchens, placement in a kitchen needs to be strategic, as we want to avoid placement in an area where the alarm will activate every time someone cooks or burns food. This means that smoke alarms near or in the kitchen should be placed approximately 10-20 feet away from cooking appliances to reduce the likelihood of false alarms. The same holds true for smoke alarms outside bathrooms, as steam from showers can also set them off. As such, it is best not to place the smoke alarm immediately outside the bathroom but rather in close proximity.
Watch this NFPA video for more information:
And review NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
4. How long will my smoke alarm last?
Just as with anything, smoke alarms have a shelf life. It is paramount that we communicate this information to the public so they understand the need to replace their alarms. In short, most smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. This will depend on the type and quality of the smoke alarm, as it may need to be replaced sooner. There are hardwired smoke alarms that have battery backups. Many of these batteries are 10-year batteries. Some smoke alarms are strictly battery powered. These smoke alarms may be good for 10 years, but the batteries may not. Regardless, smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and alarms with replaceable batteries should be changed out every six months – ideally when we change our clocks for daylight savings. It’s important to check manufacturers’ suggestions and labels as well. Some smoke/carbon monoxide combination units recommend being replaced every 7 years.
5. Why does my smoke alarm keep going off – and what should I do about it?
We’ve all heard this at some point from someone in our lives. The smoke alarm keeps going off in the middle of the night despite there being no fire or smoke. What do I do to make it stop and why is it doing this? Such behavior typically occurs when the alarm batteries are getting low, causing the unit to chirp or activate as a signal to change the batteries. Unfortunately, some people will take the battery out all together or disconnect the alarm from the power source when this happens. This is not the correct way to handle this situation. Other things that can inadvertently set off the alarm include particles in the air, whether it be dust, fumes coming off of wet paint drying, steam from the shower or cooking. Even a bug crawling into the alarm can set it off. Regardless, the smoke alarm should never be disabled, and in most cases, the batteries just need to be replaced.
Be prepared
While a lot of firefighters might defer questions about smoke alarms to their Community Risk Reduction or Fire Prevention Divisions, all of us should know some basics about them. After all, we are going to encounter the public in all sorts of ways, from just being at the grocery store, to community events, or even on calls. Expect questions about smoke alarms, and be informed so you represent your department, yourself and your profession well when you have these encounters. Knowledge is power, and having a basic understanding and knowledge of smoke alarms is important in what we do.
