Smoke detectors are devices which emit a high pitched beep or alarm when it detects smoke or fire in a home or building.
It allows the residents to evacuate the building in time.
Most of the fire out breaks happen when the occupants are sleeping and the carbon monoxide emitted from the smoke intensify their slumber which can lead to loss of life.
The sound produced by these detectors wake people from their sleep.
Although installing these detectors may seem to be simple, there are some important guidelines which need to be followed to ensure better functioning of these devices.
Installation Tips: Location: One of the most important aspects to consider while installing these detectors is its location.
Choose a room which is used frequently by all the members of the family.
It is also important to install a detector in every bedroom, family room and living room if possible.
It is also pertinent to choose spots which are far from vents, windows, doors, and fans as it can affect the functioning of the device.
Choose a spot which is located at the center of the room.
Connection With Electrical Grid: In some places, it is essential to connect these devices with the electrical grid of your home.
Seek the assistance of an electrician to connect the device to the grid.
Use Alkaline Batteries: Using good quality battery is another essential factor that needs to be considered.
Avoid rechargeable batteries and use alkaline batteries for these devices.
Most of these detectors emit a signal which indicates low battery charge.
It is essential to replace the battery immediately.
Environmental Temperature: The atmospheric temperature should also be considered while installing these devices as some detectors tend to malfunction if it is installed when the climate is too humid or hot.
Regular Maintenance: It is also important to maintain these detectors regularly by replacing the batteries once in a year.
It is also important to dust these devices regularly so that it is kept free from contaminants which may affect the proper functioning of the unit.
Check these units periodically to ensure its functional capability.
Replace Detectors: Most of these devices have a life span of 5 to 10 years and it needs to be replaced immediately.
The effectiveness of these devices may decrease with time.
Some of these devices show certain signals which indicate that it is time to replace the unit.
Interconnected: It is important to install detectors which are interconnected so that one triggered device activates all the other detectors in a home.
To avoid false alarms, it is necessary to avoid the installation of these devices in poorly ventilated kitchens, humid rooms such as bathrooms, dusty areas, near fluorescent lights, near to doors and windows.
These detectors should not be installed in areas where the temperature may rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and fall below 40 degree Fahrenheit.
Smoke detectors are among the most important safety devices used in every home.
It is essential to purchase high rating devices even if it is expensive because safety is priceless.