Placement of Smoke Alarms

This article comes from Kiddie.com

Learning the basics of fire safety is the first step in fighting fire – and it just so happens to be the most important.

Understanding the best ways to protect your home and family or your business from fire should always be at the top of your to-do list. From selecting fire extinguishers and smoke alarms to knowing your state’s laws, fire safety 101 begins now.

Placement of Smoke Alarms

In a typical home fire, occupants have just minutes to escape. And because smoke in one area may not reach a smoke alarm in another, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends placement of at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home (including basements), in every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. The NFPA also recommends the interconnection of alarms to provide better whole-home protection than stand-alone alarms. Leading authorities recommend that both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed to help insure maximum detection of the various types of fires that can occur within the home. Ionization sensing alarms may detect invisible fire particles (associated with fast flaming fires) sooner than photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible fire particles (associated with slow smoldering fires) sooner than ionization alarms.

Combination Smoke/CO Alarms

A combination Smoke/CO Alarm makes it easy to provide both types of protection throughout the home. 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. Therefore, a combination alarm can satisfy one of your smoke alarm location requirements as well as a carbon monoxide location.

Heat Alarms

Heat alarms are not suitable for fire detection by themselves and must be used as part of a smoke alarm system. In some areas of the house, it may be beneficial to use a heat alarm that senses fire by air temperature, rather than a smoke alarm that senses particles in the air. The installation of heat alarms in attics, furnace rooms or garages is recommended, since these locations occasionally experience conditions that can result in improper operation of smoke alarms. Heat Alarms are designed to alarm when presented with a certain temperature at the alarm. They will not react to smoke and should not be used to replace smoke alarms, but as a supplement to a complete smoke alarm system.

Placement of Fire Extinguishers

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides minimum recommendations for the home:

Step 1: Choose Primary Fire Extinguishers (Must Have)

For your main home protection install a 2-A:10-B-C rated extinguisher on every level of your home – no more than 40 feet apart. This could include locations such as living areas, garages, and workshops.

Step 2: Choose Supplementary Fire Extinguishers (Should Have)

The kitchen is the likeliest place you will have a fire. Protect special locations in your home with a UL rated fire extinguisher.

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