Guide To Smoke Alarm And Fire Safety

Smoke alarms are a vital component of any home’s fire safety system. They are designed to detect smoke or fire and alert you and your family to evacuate your home as quickly as possible.

Smoke alarms were invented in the early 1960s by a group of researchers at Texas A&M University. The first smoke alarm was called the “Fire Alarm Unit,” and it was designed to detect smoke in the event of a fire.

Today, the Brighton air conditioning experts in Martel Electrical is here to provide you further guidance on smoke alarms.

The first smoke alarms were not widely available to the public until the 1970s when they began to be mass-produced and sold in hardware stores and other retail outlets.

Since then, smoke alarms have become a standard feature in homes and buildings all over the world, and they have been credited with saving countless lives. In this guide, we will discuss the different types of smoke alarms, how to install and maintain them, and other important fire safety tips.

There are two main types of smoke alarms: ionisation and photoelectric. Ionisation smoke alarms use an electric current to activate the alarm and are more sensitive to flaming fires and are faster at detecting fires that start suddenly.

The downside to these types of alarms is that they are more prone to false alarms, such as when cooking or burning candles and can be less sensitive to smouldering fires such as those caused by cigarettes or electrical malfunctions.

Photoelectric smoke alarms use light or visible particles of combustion to trigger an alarm and have a greater sensitivity to smouldering fires. They can be activated in as little as 3-5 minutes and are less prone to false alarms. The downside to these types of alarms is that they can be less sensitive to flaming fires and be slower to detect fires that start suddenly.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, in each bedroom and outside of sleeping areas, such as in the hallway or living room. When installing smoke alarms, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes.

This is where hiring a local electrician is helpful as they are up to date with the latest safety regulations and will install them properly as opposed to installing them yourself. The latest smoke alarm regulation in Queensland is that all owner-occupiers must install interconnected smoke alarms by 2027.

By having the smoke alarms interconnected, when one is activated, they all will activate. This allows those within the home as much time to escape.

In addition to smoke alarms, there are several other steps you can take to ensure the safety of your home and family in case of a fire. These include:

• Have a fire escape plan. Practising it with your family to make sure that everyone in your household knows two ways to exit each room and how to safely get out of the house. Always get down low to the ground as possible to put as much space between you and the smoke as possible.
• Installing a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is produced by burning fuel, and it can be deadly if inhaled. A carbon monoxide detector will alert you if levels of this gas become too high in your home.
• Keep flammable materials away from heat sources. Materials such as paper, tea towels, curtains, and aerosols should be kept away from heat sources like stoves and candles.
• Own a fire extinguisher. Keep it in an easily accessible location in case of a small fire and have it replaced within the shelf life which is typically 5 years but depends on the type of fire extinguisher.
• Don’t leave cooking food unattended. Always keep a close eye on any open flames in your home even when cooking with an electric cooktop.
• Don’t wear loose clothing when cooking. Avoid wearing draped materials or loose clothing such as scarves, wide-arms shirts or jumpers as they can catch fire.
• Keep your electrical systems up to date. Regularly check your smoke alarms and fire extinguisher equipment to ensure that they are in good working order. Frayed or damaged electrical cords can be a fire hazard.
• Avoiding the use of extension cords. Extension cords and power strips are only meant to be used temporarily. Never plug an extension cord into a power board or any series of extension loops. The more direct the power is from the wall to the appliance the better.

By following these tips and regularly maintaining your smoke alarms, you can greatly reduce the risk of a fire in your home and ensure the safety of you and your family. Remember, the key to fire safety is being prepared and having a plan in place. So make sure to test your smoke alarms regularly and have an evacuation plan in place in case of a fire.