Smoke Alarms
A smoke alarm  (smoke detector) is a safety must. Every floor of your home, including every bedroom, should have one. The best alarms can detect both high-flame fires caused by paper or flammable liquids and smoky, smoldering fires caused by clothing and upholstery.
Types of Smoke Alarms
There are three types of smoke alarms, ionization, photoelectric, and dual-sensor alarms which contain both detection methods.
- Ionization Alarms
- In an ionization alarm, a harmless radioactive source produces a current. This current can be interrupted by smoke. When this happens, the alarm goes off.
- Best at detecting fires with high flames, such as those caused by flammable liquids. They do not do well with smoky, smoldering fires.
- Generally much less expensive than photoelectric alarms, costing less than $10.
- Photoelectric Alarms
- A photoelectric alarm uses beam of light instead of an electric current to detect fires. When there is enough smoke in the alarm to deflect the beam of light, the alarm goes off.
- Good at detecting smoky, smoldering fires, such as those caused by burning bedding materials.
- Generally more expensive, usually costing around $30.
- Dual-Sensor Alarms
- Generally regarded as the best kind of alarm, a dual sensor gives you the advantages of both sensors.
- Often, dual-sensor alarms are less expensive than buying each kind of alarm separately.
- Regarded as the safest option for all-purpose home use.
Powering Your Smoke Alarm - Battery Operated
- If you opt for a battery-operated smoke alarm, you have to be sure to change the batteries every six months.
- A good way to remember is to do it at the same time you reset your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
- Lithium batteries can act as a backup battery or as the main power source. They are long-lasting and will probably provide power for the life of your smoke alarm.
- House Wiring
- Another option is to buy alarms that are hard-wired into your home's electrical system.
- These alarms can sometimes be networked together, so that if one goes off, they all go off.
- Whichever type of alarm you choose, alarms need to be replaced every ten years or so because the mechanism will wear out over time.
- Most newer alarms have the date stamped on them, so you know when they need to be replaced.
Alarm Standards and Features- Most alarms will come with the following, but it is always good to double-check.
- 85 decibel alarm (or louder).
- Chirp warning for a low battery.
- A test button and false alarm silence button.
- Hinged cover for easy cleaning -- excess dust can interfere with alarm function.
- Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Standard -- only buy alarms that meet this standard.
- Some alarms may have additional special features:
- Flashing strobe -- for the hearing-impaired, this smoke detector also includes an alarm. Look for the First Alert Strobe Light SA 100B. They're more expensive than other detectors, priced at around $100.
- Emergency lighting -- to help you find your way out of the house in an emergency.
- Voice alarm -- some studies have suggested that young children can sleep through your average smoke alarm, but will wake quickly to the recorded sound of their parents.
- Combination Smoke and CO detector -- some sources suggest buying a separate CO detector rather than a combination unit because the combined unit is not as effective.
Where to Hang your Alarm- Do not place a smoke alarm in the kitchen or garage. Cooking fumes and car exhaust are likely to set it off.
- Unheated attics and crawl spaces are not ideal for placemat as the temperatures can get too hot or too cold for electronics to function properly.
- Be sure to mount the alarm at least three feet from a central air system. They may blow on the alarm and prevent smoke from reaching it.
- Alarms should be kept at least three feet from a bathroom door (shower steam may set it off) or a kitchen door (cooking fumes may do the same).
- Set multiple alarms interconnected at every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and in each bedroom.
Major Manufacturers
Related Products
External Links- FireSafeHome.org -- information on placement of alarms, alarm maintenance, and other FAQs.
- Howstuffworks.com -- how smoke alarms work.
- Cpsc.gov -- U.S. Product Consumer Product Safety Commission lists smoke alarm recalls.
- Usfa.dhc.gov -- U.S. Fire Administration offers complete information on fire safety.
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