On average, there are 2,620 deaths from residential home fires each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. About 60 percent of those deaths are in homes with malfunctioning smoke/fire alarms or no alarms at all, so the lesson is clear: Understanding the mechanics of smoke alarms, and using and maintaining them correctly, can prevent an enormous family tragedy from occurring. Show Types of AlarmsAlthough they are often lumped together as "smoke alarms," there are actually four different types of smoke and fire alarms used in homes. Some actually detect heat and actual fire, some detect smoke, and some do both jobs. Heat DetectorsHeat detectors represent fairly old technology, and the first residential fire alarms were of this type. They feature a detecting component inside the unit that activates an alarm when it reaches a predetermined temperature. Heat detectors are sufficient for places where the speed of detection isn't critical, or in small, confined spaces. Heat detectors have a lower false alarm rate, but they are somewhat slower at detecting fires. In many household fires, smoke kills victims before fire. Smoke AlarmsSmoke alarms will detect most fires more quickly than heat detectors. They use a different technology entirely to sense a fire, and there are three types of smoke alarms currently sold:
Power SourcesSmoke and fire alarms can be powered by household circuit current (hardwired), or they can be powered by batteries. These hardwired smoke alarms usually have an internal battery backup system that allows them to keep operating should the home's electrical service be interrupted. Although the battery-operated smoke alarms, which usually use 9-volt batteries, are very popular due to their low costs and ease of installation, they only provide good protection if the batteries are checked and replaced on a regular basis. Missing, disconnected, or dead batteries account for almost 75 percent of cases where a smoke alarm is present but does not operate properly during a fire. For this reason, building codes in many areas now require hard-wired smoke alarms that are interconnected, so that if one sensor detects smoke, all the detectors in the chain will sound loud alarms. These alarms generally work on a 120-volt household current with a long-life/10-year internal battery for backup. PositioningThe proper positioning of smoke alarms may be dictated by your local building code, but there are also standard recommendations from the National Fire Protection Association. These recommendations are the basis for many local code requirements:
Many experts point out that smoke alarms should be placed on the ceiling, or high up on the walls. By positioning the detectors at roughly 12 inches below the ceiling, you can ensure that they will detect smoke at the earliest opportunity. It is important that every floor of your home have at least one smoke detector. Garages are a very common source of fires, so make sure yours is equipped with a smoke detector. Don't forget basements, sunrooms, and swimming pool or spa areas of the home, and be sure to include furnace rooms, laundry rooms, and other utility spaces in your alarm plan. Hardwired, interconnected smoke detectors are the best option and are now often required in new construction. Even where building codes allow older homes to rely on battery-operated detectors, it is a good idea to have a hardwired system installed. If you must rely on battery-operated detectors, make sure to replace the batteries twice a year. The habit of changing the batteries at each change from daylight saving time to standard time is good practice to get into. Smoke/CO DetectorsThere are many combination detectors sold that combine smoke detection with carbon monoxide detection, and these pose some complications for positioning in the home. While smoke from fires tends to rise to near ceiling level, carbon monoxide mixes with air and is often found in the greatest concentrations near the floor. Most experts recommend positioning CO detectors outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For these reasons, it is best to keep smoke detection and CO detection systems separate and not rely on combination devices. If you do have combination detectors, mount them at the recommended smoke detection height, then install backup CO-only detectors at knee level on each floor of your home. TipWhile you may prefer a hardwired smoke detector, it's important to remember that a battery-operated smoke detector is safer than no smoke detector at all. Related Topics
Article Sources The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Where do you put a smoke and co2 detector?Where to Install a Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm. On each floor of the home.. In each bedroom.. In each hallway close to sleeping areas; if a hallway is longer than 40 feet, place devices at both ends.. At the top of stairways going to an upper floor.. At the bottom of stairways going to a basement.. In your living area.. Should co2 detectors be placed low or high?Standalone carbon monoxide alarms are often placed low on the wall because they need to be plugged into an outlet that's near the floor. CO alarms can also have a screen that shows the CO level and needs to be at a height where it's easy to read.
Where in the home should carbon monoxide detectors be placed?At a minimum, industry experts recommend a CO alarm be installed on each level of the home -- ideally on any level with fuel burning appliances and outside of sleeping areas. Additional CO alarms are recommended 5-20 feet from sources of CO such as a furnace, water heater or fireplace.
Where is the best location for a smoke detector?Smoke rises, so mounting smoke detectors high -- usually on ceilings -- is the best option. If you choose to mount a smoke alarm on a wall, placing it less than 12 inches from the ceiling would be best. Find a spot away from air ducts, windows or anywhere with a draft that could keep smoke from reaching the detector.
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