November 28, 2014
All you need to know about installation, maintenance and smoke alarm monitoring.
So you have a smoke alarm? If yes then that’s fantastic. However, maintenance to ensure functionality is paramount to the safety of those living under your roof. Furthermore, monitored fire alarm systems are the most robust solution to saving lives and property because they provide an around the clock rapid response system delivering the right people to the right place at the right time.
When the fire service in New Zealand claims to attend over 3500 fires the risk of incident is real. While the cause of home fires often results from unattended cooking, fire ensuing from faulty electrical wiring is also a potentiality. This indicates that the threat of fire is apparent all day every day which is why having your smoke alarm monitored is the ideal solution to continuous provision against the dangers a fire presents.
Shockingly, in 80% of the fatal fires that the fire service go to, smoke alarms were either not installed, not working or not monitored by a service centre.
With professional Smoke Alarm Monitoring you can typically guarantee that any smoke alarm that is triggered will be sent to a monitored service centre where trained personnel can take immediate action to protect you and your home. In our case we carry out this monitoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Where to start?
Begin with the basics. Have your fire alarm installed by a professional or get instructions as to the best place to put an alarm so that smoke can be detected early, giving inhabitants enough time to evacuate. As smoke travels along the ceiling, this is the best place to install your smoke alarms. Also smoke alarms should be installed in the corridor closest to the bedrooms on every level of the house.
Next, ensure that you check the efficacy of your alarms and replace the batteries regularly. Sounds simple, but it is the most overlooked component of smoke alarm security that exists and without operational batteries, you have a nice looking wall or roof hanging that does nothing to improve your safety.
Factors that impede the functionality of your smoke alarm include:
- The cleanliness of smoke alarms. Dust and grime can hinder the ability of the alarm to detect smoke and set off an alarm so regular vacuuming and dusting of the smoke alarm is important in keeping it functional.
- Test the smoke alarm once a month by pressing the test button. If this issues a loud beep or series of beeps then you’re safe, otherwise the likely factor inhibiting the operation of your smoke alarm will be the batteries.
Replacing batteries once a year is a standard safety measure ensuring you are using the correct voltage batteries (9-volt). In order to remember when you last changed your batteries, keep a date such as Daylight Savings as your annual smoke alarm battery
Not all fire alarms are created equal and it is recommended to install long-life photoelectric type smoke alarms where possible. These are both interconnected and hard-wired to the electrical wiring meaning that all smoke alarms will sound if one detects smoke. The advantage of having a smoke alarm connected to the mains power is that they are more reliable. And when it comes to the safety of those in your home, having a smoke alarm that is operational and reliable is an absolute necessity.
Finally, have your smoke alarm connected to a monitoring centre like Nutech Security, That way, wherever you are, whatever time of day, you have a complete and immediate response to any fire disaster that threatens your home and the people in it.