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Fire Safety Tips for the Homeowner

Smoke alarms are a powerful and effective fire safety device.  They are the first lines of defense against smoke and fire.  They may awaken those who would otherwise have been overcome by smoke and toxic gases in their sleep.  And most importantly, they provide an early warning alerting individuals of a fire, allowing them precious time to escape.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 75 to 80% of all deaths by fire happen in the home.  More than half of these deaths occurred in buildings without functioning smoke alarms.  By installing a smoke alarm, individuals can reduce the risk of dying in a fire almost 50%.

Smoke alarms cannot work without power. Battery operated alarms will not work without proper batteries, with dead batteries or if batteries are not properly installed. AC powered alarms will not work if their AC power supply is cut off by an electrical fire, an open fuse, a circuit breaker or any other reason.

If you are concerned about the reliability of either battery or your AC power supply for any of the above reasons, you should install in your home both AC and battery powered smoke alarms for added security. American Sensors also offers the SA379 model which is AC powered with battery back-up.

Smoke alarms are incapable of sounding the alarm until smoke reaches the sensing chamber. Anything preventing smoke from reaching the alarm may delay or prevent an alarm. A smoke alarm cannot detect fire in the walls, chimney or roof unless and until a significant amount of smoke reaches the alarm. A closed door may prevent smoke from reaching an alarm on the other side of the door. A smoke alarm may not sense a fire on another floor of a home. For example, a basement smoke alarm may not detect a fire which started on the first or second floor.

Smoke alarms may not be heard. The loudness of the horn in your alarm meets current standards. However, the sound may be blocked by distance, closed doors, or ambient noise such as traffic or a stereo. Smoke alarms may not be heard by persons who are hard of hearing. For these reasons, a smoke alarm should be installed in every room or at least on every level of your home. American Sensors recommends that hardwire AC Powered smoke alarms be interconnected, so that one alarm will trigger all other alarms to sound their alarms.

Smoke alarms are not fool-proof. Smoke alarms may not always sense every kind of fire. They cannot be expected to sense fires caused by carelessness or by safety hazards. They may not give early warning of fast growing fires caused by smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, improper storage of flammable materials, overloaded electrical circuits, natural causes such as lightning, children playing with matches, or arson.

Smoke alarms are not substitutes for property, disability, life or other insurance of any kind. Home owners and renters should continue to insure their lives and property. Consult your insurance agent.

Smoke alarms have limited lives. One or more of the many components could fail at any time. Therefore, test your smoke alarm weekly. Clean and take care of it as described in this manual. Repair or replace the smoke alarm when it fails to test properly. Your smoke alarm should be replaced if it is ten years old.

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• In every room of your home (except the bathroom): Research indicates that substantial increases in warning time can be obtained with each properly installed, additional alarm.

• In bedrooms: In anticipation of fires originating within these rooms, caused by faulty wiring, lamps, appliances, smoking or other hazards.

• In hallways: At a distance no greater than 4 meters (13 feet) from the farthest wall and no greater than 8 meters (26 feet) from the next alarm.

• In the center of a room or hallway: As it is impossible to predict the source of a fire. If it is necessary to place the alarm on a wall, always locate the top of the smoke alarm 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) from the ceiling.

• As needed: To compensate for closed doors and other obstacles that may interfere with the path of smoke to an alarm. They may also prevent occupants on one side of a closed door from hearing an alarm on the other side of the door.

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• In turbulent air areas of your home such as fans, doors, windows, etc. The rapid air movement may prevent combustion particles from entering the alarm.

• In dead air spaces such as at the peak of an "A" frame ceiling. "Dead air" at the top may prevent smoke from reaching the alarm in time to provide early warning. In rooms with simple sloped, peaked or gabled ceilings, install smoke alarms on the ceiling 90 cm (3 feet) from the highest point of the ceiling.

• Note: For complex ceiling structures, consult a safety expert for the number of alarms required and the best locations.

• In very hot or cold areas where the temperature exceeds 38C (100F) or falls below 5C (40F).

• Less than 15 cm (6 inches) from the wall when mounted on the ceiling.

• Nuisance alarms could result when smoke alarms are located where interference may occur with the sensing chamber. To avoid nuisance alarms, DO NOT place smoke alarms:

• In high humidity areas such as bathrooms and attics. Place smoke alarms at least 3 meters (10 feet) away from bathrooms.

• In insect-infested areas.

• In poorly ventilated kitchens or garages.

• In very dusty and dirty areas.

• Near fluorescent lights. Place smoke alarms at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) from fluorescent lights.

Do not connect this smoke alarm to any other alarm or auxiliary device. Connecting the alarm to any other device may be detrimental to its proper operation.

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What To Do When Alarm Sounds
Don't waste time collecting possessions after a fire starts.

Arouse all occupants and leave the building. Your most valuable  possession is your life.

Doors can mean escape or death. Never open doors without first checking for heat. Test them with your hands, if they feel warm, fire may be walled up behind them - leave closed and find another escape route.

Call the fire department from OUTSIDE the building.

If trapped inside, stay close to the floor, cover mouth with cloth, conserve breath as you crawl to safety.

Keep all doors and windows closed except for escape purposes. 

If you live in a high rise building, never use the elevator to escape fire.  If the fire blocks your exit, close your apartment door and cover all cracks where smoke could enter.  Telephone the fire department, even if fire fighters are already at the scene, and tell them where you are.  Shout for help and signal your location by waving a bright cloth, towel or sheet out of a window.

NEVER re-enter a burning building.

Keep your family in a pre-arranged meeting place after your escape.

Devise an escape route using a floor plan of your home.

If your clothes catch on fire, “Stop, Drop and Roll” to put out the flames.  Do not run--running will only increase the flames.

Your local fire department may be able to offer you additional ideas for safety and escape plans in the home.

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Planning Your Escape
Families should get together and draw an escape route using a floor plan of their home.  They should show two ways out of every room.  The first way should be out a door and the second way could be through a window.  If it is a second or third story window, they might consider purchasing a safety ladder.  (If so, everyone should know how to use the safety ladder.  Children should practice using one with an adult supervising).  They should choose a meeting place for all family members outside the home and mark it on the plan.  A good meeting place would be a driveway, tree or a neighbor’s home.   

Families should practice the escape plan to make sure everyone understands the planned routes.  Involve every member of the family.  Start with everyone in their beds with the doors closed.  Have one person sound the smoke alarm.  Have each person touch his or her door.  (Tip:  sleep with bedroom doors closed.  A closed door will help slow the spread of fire, smoke and heat).  Practice two escape routes--one for a cool door and one for a hot door.  Meet outdoors at the assigned meeting place.  Designate one person to call the fire department.  Make sure everyone knows the fire department or local emergency telephone number.

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Safety Tips
Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are an essential part of a good home fire safety program. Your fire safety program should also include a review of fire hazards and the elimination of dangerous conditions whenever possible. Consider the following tips:

• Use smoking materials properly. Never smoke in bed.

• Keep matches and cigarette lighters away from children.

• Store flammable materials in proper containers. Never use them near an open flame or sparks.

• Keep electrical appliances in good condition. Do not overload electrical circuits.

• Keep stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and barbecue grills grease free. Make sure they are properly installed and away from any combustible materials.

• Keep portable heaters and open flames such as candles away from combustible material.

• Do not allow rubbish to accumulate.

• Keep a supply of extra batteries on hand for your battery powered smoke alarms.

• Do not stand too close to the alarm when the unit is in alarm as the loud horn could damage your hearing.

WARNING! Never disconnect the battery or the AC power on any type of smoke alarm to silence a nuisance alarm. Clear the area of smoke by opening doors or windows or fanning the smoke away.

Most important, when fire strikes, a prepared and practiced escape plan can make the difference between life and death. Develop an escape plan and practice it with the entire family, including small children.

• Ensure all family members are familiarized with the alarm signal.

• Prepare an escape plan. Draw a Floor Plan of Your Home and determine two exits from each room. There should be a way to get out of each bedroom without opening the door.
                          

• Have Fire Drills Often. Practice your Escape and BE PREPARED.

• Decide on a meeting place at a safe distance from your home.

• In Case of fire

• Don't waste time collecting possessions after a fire starts.

• Arouse all occupants and leave the building. Your most valuable possession is your life.

• Doors can mean escape or death. Never open doors without first checking for heat. Test them with your hands, if they feel warm, fire may be walled up behind them - leave closed and find another escape route.

• Call the fire department from OUTSIDE the building.

• If trapped inside, stay close to the floor, cover mouth with cloth, conserve breath as you crawl to safety.

• Keep all doors and windows closed except for escape purposes.

• NEVER re-enter a burning building.

• Keep your family in a pre-arranged meeting place after your escape.

Your local fire department may be able to offer you additional ideas for safety and escape plans in the home.

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Maintenance and Troubleshooting
VACUUM EVERY SIX MONTHS
Your Smoke Alarm should be cleaned every six months to help keep it working efficiently. Open cover and gently vacuum interior of alarm. Keep vacuum nozzle from touching unit.

Do not paint the unit.

TEST WEEKLY BY PRESSING TEST BUTTON

PROBLEMS MAY BE INDICATED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• The alarm does not sound upon pressing the test button.

• The alarm does not sound with the smoke test.

• The operating light remains steadily on or off (i.e. does not flash once every 45 seconds, when the unit is not in alarm).

TRY THE FOLLOWING:

• Inspect for obvious damage.

• Gently vacuum as recommended above.

• Check that unit contains recommended battery type.

• Check that batteries are properly connected.

• Replace battery.

If these procedures do not correct the problem, do NOT attempt repairs. If the smoke alarm is within warranty period and terms, indicate the nature of the problem and return the unit with proof of purchase to the point of purchase, distributor or manufacturer. See below for instructions. Units beyond warranty cannot be economically repaired.

FALSE ALARMS:
Abnormal air conditions may cause the highly sensitive smoke alarm to give a "false" alarm. If no fire is apparent, ventilate the room and/or blow fresh air into the unit until the alarm stops. Once cleared, the smoke alarm will automatically reset.

DO NOT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY.

Dust can lead to excess sensitivity. Vacuum as recommended above.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Warns That Smoke Alarms in About 16 Million Homes Do Not Work

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Smoke alarms can save lives.