Smoke Alarm Safety

Smoke alarms keep us safe and protect our property.  A common term for these units is the smoke detector, but we want a device that will detect and then sound to alert us of a fire.  Two different types of fires need different detection. Smoldering fires that generate lots of smoke are picked up by photoelectric sensors and sound an alarm. Ionization sensors are able to detect faster-burning fires with large flames. Flaming fires produce small amounts of smoke and can be harder to detect so the ionization sensors catch them faster. True Light Electric NM installs a premium quality dual sensor, photoelectric and ionization unit, with a 10 year sealed battery.

National groups like the US Fire Administration, FEMA, National Fire Protection Association and Consumer Product Safety Commission have guidelines for battery replacement and location of fire alarms. Today fire alarms are given a ten-year lifespan, then replace the unit.  Placement in the house is important. Mount smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on the walls on every level of the house. In the bedroom area, they can be installed in hallways. Don’t forget to put a unit in the basement. Mount smoke detection units away from windows, doors and air ducts.

Smoke alarms run on batteries or are hardwired.  Hardwiring is usually done during initial construction, but possible to install after construction. On an interconnected hardwired system, when a fire is detected in one area of the house, every smoke alarm will sound.

Technology advances have produced multifunction detectors that may include carbon monoxide alarms too.  Smart smoke alarms can communicate through apps and deliver alerts to your phone or other mobile devices. Now is a smart time to contact True Light Electric New Mexico to asses your smoke alarm needs and have peace of mind that your property and lives are protected in case of fire.