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Smoke detectors are a crucial component of the alarm system and are needed to protect your house from fire. An efficiently functioning smoke detector will continuously monitor the surrounding environment for any smoke particles and alert you if there is a fire risk.
Even if your house already has smoke detectors, if the sensors are older than 10 years, it is time for an upgrade. Smoke detectors cannot last forever, and every year new smoke detectors with advanced features are released into the market.
When you decide to buy a smoke detector, keep the following factors in mind:
Which type of smoke detector to choose
You will have to choose amongst two types of smoke detectors available in the market: battery-operated and hard-wired. If you are looking to be satisfied with the product for the long term, it is best to opt for hard-wired interconnected smoke detectors. In this case, if one detector gets triggered, all the alarms will go off. If you choose a smart smoke detector, the alarm notification will also be sent to your phone.
The hard-wired smoke detectors are installed in connection to the electric grid of your home. They are always on. They also have a battery backup in case you face an electric outage or if the power service gets interrupted for any other reason.
Ionization smoke detector or photoelectric smoke detector?
The ionization smoke detector is very sensitive to even small levels of smoke. Therefore, ionization smoke detectors should not be installed in the kitchen. If such smoke detectors are present in the kitchen, they will go of every time you cook.
Photoelectric smoke detectors use light sensors to work. If there is more infrared light scattered in the light receptor of the device, it triggers the alarm. This is great for detecting smoke that rises from slow fires.
How many alarms should you get?
Check the rules and regulations of your area to know the zoning ordinances regarding smoke detectors. According to rules, smoke detectors should be installed in the halls outside thebedrooms, inside the bedrooms as well as on every floor of the house.
Other recommended locations for smoke detectors are:
- Living room, dining room
- Home office
- Stairwell
- Storage and utility rooms
Where should the smoke detectors be placed?
To have smoke detectors working at optimum capacity, it is best if you position them in locations where they can easily detect the smoke. For example:
- When putting wall-mounted alarms, position them in a manner that the top of the unit is slightly below the ceiling.
- If you have peak ceilings, position the alarm 4 inches below the peak.
- For basement smoke alarms, mount them at the ceiling near the foot of the stairs.
- In the case of the kitchen, keep the smoke alarms 10 feet away from your cooking appliances.
- Do not install the smoke detectors at regions where drafts may disable the proper operation of the detector.
Take the battery life into consideration
Most smoke detectors come with battery backup, even if they are hard-wired ones. You can compare the different smoke detectors based on the battery backup they provide. Make sure that your smoke detector has a warning system for battery replacement.
Wi-Fi smoke detectors
If you have a home that is equipped with a smart home system, you can get a smoke detector that works why the Wi-Fi as well as fire alarm.
Silence feature
Suppose you are cooking and the smoke from the cooking sets off the smoke alarm. Your smoke detector must have a feature for you to turn off the alarm quickly before it informs the authorities.
The smoke detector should at least have a warranty of 5 to 10 years.
If you’re in the market for a new smoke detector, you should check out first alert smoke detectors. The first alert smoke detectors use ionization smoke sensing technology along with a contemporary smoke gathering design. The ionization sensors allow the detector to detect smoke early from slimming fires. Their alarm is 85 dB which is very easily heard.
The device is also very easy to use. It has a single button that you can press to silence the false alarms in case it gets triggered due to cooking or shower steam. The detector has a power light that blinks constantly indicating that the alarm is operational. It also has a low battery alert which tells you when you need to change the battery. The installation process of the first alert smoke detectors is very simple.
Therefore, if you are going to get new smoke detectors installed or replace your existing smoke detectors, don’t forget to check out the first alert smoke detectors. It will not only give you value for money but it is also very efficient and easy to install.
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