One of the biggest concerns of any electrician should be safety, which is why Bray Electrical Services is happy to diagnose electrical problems and repair and upgrade as necessary. This reduces the risk of electrocution and fire in the home.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is also concerned with fire prevention. In fact, they are equally concerned with fire prevention as they are with firefighting. That is why they have started their smoke alarm program.
Free fire alarms are available for all Atlanta residents through the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation’s (AFRF’s) program. They have already distributed almost 20.000 over the past decade. They also donate batteries through a partnership with Duracell.
Most fires that end with injuries or death happen in homes that don’t have working fire detectors. That is why the AFRF’s program is essential to public safety.
There are many types of fire alarms/detectors available today, and this is an overview of the standard and the latest.
Types of Fire Alarms/Detectors
Types of Fire Alarms/Detectors-
Ionisation
Ionisation alarms detect fire particles with radioactive material. This is very good for detecting fast fires that don’t have very much smoke. However, they are annoying in the kitchen or bathroom where they can be turned on by steam or cooking.
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Photoelectric
Unlike ionisation alarms, photoelectric alarms detect light that is scattered by smoke particles. House fires often have a lot of smoke, so this can be a good option. However, dusty conditions can also cause the alarms to go off.
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Dual-sensor
Can’t decide whether to get ionisation or photoelectric? Get both! Have the prompt response of ionisation alarms with the dependability of photoelectric. You’ll still have the dilemma of kitchen smoke, steam, and dirt, but it will detect fire better.
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Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector
While people need early detection of fires, they also need carbon monoxide detection. Eventually, you will see, feel, or smell fire. But carbon monoxide is not visible and does not smell. It is called a silent killer because it is deadly, but you’ll never know you’re being poisoned until it is too late.
Every home that burns any type of fuel should have one or more carbon monoxide detectors.
Two separate alarms, one for smoke and one for carbon monoxide, can start to look like clutter on the ceiling. This is why there are combo detectors that do both. They are inexpensive, and you get full coverage in one alarm.
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Heat detectors:
Obviously, you want your alarm to start before you feel heat near your bedroom, but heat detectors do serve useful purposes. In dirty environments or places that will have high flames, such as sheds or old garages, they will notify a person of fire and not have a lot of false alarms. In rooms with high ceilings, they may detect fire where smoke may not reach until it is too late. In most homes, heat detectors are not utilized, but they are available and should be used in combination with more-traditional smoke detectors.
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Smart detectors:
Yes, we are on the smart path again. This isn’t a bad path to be on, but it feels a bit sketchy when thinking about depending on a smart device. Smart alarms come in many options, and they are a little more expensive, but they actually add to the protective factors of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
One of the features of smart detectors is that they send alerts to phones. Therefore, not only will your alarm sound, but your phone will alert you that a fire alarm has started. Many of them allow you to silence the alarm from your phone, which can be much more convenient than trying to reach the silence button. When batteries go low, you can also pause the annoying chirping that continues until you replace it.
If you cannot resolve yourself to depending on a smart device, there are alternatives. Some smart detectors are “listeners,” which means they alert you when they hear traditional smoke alarms. This way, you can benefit from the smart alarm without relying on new technology.
There are also smart batteries and many other features that can add to the safety of traditional alarms.
Other Features
Some municipalities or states require 10-year, sealed lithium batteries to ensure that the life of your detector is lengthened.
Some detectors come with lights that can turn on in the event of fire. In the event of a fire, the electricity may not work, so having a light source can allow evacuees to find the exits.
Early detection saves lives.
If you want your alarms/detectors to be hardwired, an electrician may be required. However, the type of alarm/detector your get is not as important as this message: EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES. If you don’t have a smoke detector, please get one. If you do have one, please test it.