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Most often required by law, fire alarms are one of the most important fixtures in the home today. They are the one safety feature that could save the lives of an entire family. The number of deaths from smoke inhalation that could be prevented each year with the proper use and maintenance of a fire alarm is astounding. The risk of losing one’s home, family or personal possessions is far too great to not have an alarm installed and working properly.

Every fire alarm can be one of two possible types, or may be a combination of the two. Alarms that rely on detecting heated ions drifting through the air use ionization sensors. Detectable ionization occurs primarily in fires that are burning very fast with large open flames moving quickly through the structure. The other type of sensor is known as a photoelectric sensor. This operates by attempting to spot small particles that may be floating through the air. Low, hot-burning fires will throw up particles like this when producing billowing smoke.

Fire alarms can also contain a combination of sensors. These devices are able to detect both hot fires with an ionization sensor and smoldering fires with the photoelectric sensors. These types of units are called dual sensor alarms. They are the most effective technology available to consumers who are trying to protect their home from fire.

No matter what type it is, no fire alarm can be effective if it is not placed in the correct area. Heated gasses tend to rise, and since both types of sensors detect some particles floating in the air, it is important to mount the alarm high up in the room. The manufacturer’s instructions will have exact details, but expect the placement to be on the roof, or very near it.

At least one fire alarm should be placed on each floor of the house. They should be placed inside all of the bedrooms, and outside of the bedrooms as well. An alarm should be placed in the basement, since this is the origin of many fires.

The purpose of a fire alarm is to alert a family to the potential threat of a burning fire. This warning will fall on deaf ears if the family does not have a concise plan in place for what to do in this situation. It is very important that there is more than one escape route planned in the event that certain areas of the home or property become inaccessible due to the fire. There should also be a common meeting place for everyone to assemble once outside. The plan should be memorized and practiced.

Simply installing a fire alarm and having an emergency plan is not enough. Fire alarms require regular maintenance. For battery operated units, this means replacing the batteries every six months. Whether they work or not, they need to be replaced. It also means keeping the unit very clean so that the sensors inside can function properly. A working fire alarm and a prepared family can dramatically increase the chances of escaping a fire unharmed.

Matthew Kerridge is an expert in home security. If you want more information about types of fire alarms or are looking for a reputable fire alarm business please visit http://www.adt.co.uk

Fires are one of the most preventable accidents in the home, yet many people die in a house fire due to faulty or missing fire alarms. Using and maintaining proper fire alarm equipment can prevent deaths. Fire alarms, when used correctly, can save lives by alerting you to smoke or heat.

The most important part of any fire alarm system is the smoke detector. Smoke detectors can save your life by alerting you to smoke from fire. You can find many smoke detectors that can also detect the odorless, but deadly carbon monoxide. Most rooms in the home should be equipped with a smoke detector. The number of smoke detectors in your home is determined by its size. Some areas may require several smoke detectors. All smoke detectors rely on batteries for power. Newly built homes will have smoke detectors already hooked to the electrical wiring, but they still contain a backup battery. Change your battery at least once a year, and check each smoke detector to make sure it works.

Heat detectors can save lives by alerting you to a large temperature increase or dramatic change in temperature. A rate-of-raise heat detector determines how fast the temperature is changing. A quick rise in temperature over one minute can sound the alarm. A fixed temperature heat detector measures a large increase in temperature, and will sound when it reaches the temperature threshold.

Heat detectors cannot be used without a smoke detector because smoke is more likely to kill you than the flames. Smoke can also be detected first before flames are even present. Heat detectors are great to pair with smoke detectors since you can use heat detectors in the kitchen or other areas where smoke detectors would sound too easily. When choosing a heat detector, be sure to place the right one in a room where it will not be so sensitive. The fixed temperature heat detector may be more suitable in the kitchen since cooking can increase the temperature too quickly.

Sprinklers systems can save lives by putting out a fire before it has the chance to destroy the entire house. Once a specific temperature is reached, the sprinklers will release water over the fire. Each sprinkler head must be activated in order to release water. If a fire breaks out in one area of the house, only the sprinkler heads in that area will release water. This gives the sprinkler heads more pressure and water to put out the fire.

While a sprinkler system can cause water damage, it can save your home from complete destruction. Waiting for firefighters to extinguish the flames can cause a bigger fire, and more water is needed to put it out. It is much cheaper to repair a small area of water damage than it is to replace your entire home.

Fire alarms can save lives and property. While a smoke detector is necessary for any home or business, combining it with heat detectors and sprinkler systems can increase the survival of people and property.