Smoke Detectors, how many, where should they be installed, who can install them? How many does your house require....

Smoke Detectors, how many, where should they be installed, who can install them?

Special rules for this house, check your local codes.

    Smoke detectors need to be installed in each bedroom, in the hall or near the entry of bedrooms, install on every level of the house even the basement. If there are no bedrooms on the level install them in common areas, Dens, Sitting rooms, Kitchens and Home Offices. The main concern is to look at your house and do not leave any rooms without one.
They are important in a garage and inside the entry door to the house from the garage. Install one at the bottom of stair wells and at the top, smoke rises, we want to detect it under any possible condition. Install a smoke detector in your attic as well, a fire can start anywhere. In areas that several alarms are to be installed close to one another, they must be wired together enabling all of them to be activated at the same time. For information from the National Fire Safety Association click here.
    When properly installed and operating smoke and fire alarms are in a home the odds of surviving a fire is increased by 50%, as stated by the California State fire Marshall. Most localities in the United States have very strict building codes pertaining to the number and locations smoke alarms must be installed in residences. Operation, location and how many are spelled out in most building requirements. Some County's also mandate installation of sprinkler systems on new homes and houses that have had fires. Older homes sometimes have special laws written dealing with smoke, fire and Carbon Monoxide sensors. Rental homes are also covered by special rules and here.

Dad's cooking again it appears. 

laws, making it imperative to check with your local planning commission on installation. Some codes require the alarms not only be battery energized but must also be installed into the electrical wiring system of the home. If the home was built prior to building codes requiring them (grandfathered in), battery's only are acceptable for a power source. Many areas now require smoke alarms to have a battery that has a ten year life and is installed permanently, when the battery dies the detector must be replaced. If the home is being renovated, the new codes and requirements must be met, sometimes including sprinkler systems. Most are exempt if the renovation is entirely outside the home, however if ceilings and walls are removed inside, the new codes must be met. Rental properties will sometimes have special laws dealing with who is responsible for installation and maintenance, sometimes there is a difference between leased and rented homes. The land lord is responsible when the new tenant occupies the residence on the first day of occupancy. Most localities require the land lord to maintain, replace and repair the alarms, but check your local laws. These issues should be discussed prior to renting or signing a lease, spelling out clearing each person's responsibilities pertaining to them. You can read about some requirements for installation

Not quite that loud, they will wake you up!

    Smoke detectors save many lives each year, often we hear of deaths during home fires only to find out there were no smoke detectors installed or the battery's were discharged. Smoke detectors are required to beep when the battery's are getting weak, everyone in the house should be aware of what that sounds like. On a similar note everyone in the house must know what the alarm sounds like when it is activated, as well as know the escape routes out of the home.
    The installation of the correct number of smoke detectors in the home is very important, use the County codes as a guideline, install more if you are in question, don't put your family in peril, it's just fine to install too many.
    Thanks for reading, leave a comment, suggestion or your experience.

jimandkate  emergencykitsplus.com    Emergency Survival Supplies