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You are here: Home / Archives for Videos/Images / Fire Prevention Media

Oct 22 2014

Installing Smoke Alarms Properly

Smoke AlarmIt’s important to have enough smoke alarms in your home. Fire research has demonstrated that with today’s modern furnishings, fires can spread much more rapidly than in the past when more natural materials were used. Because of this, having a sufficient number of properly located smoke alarms is essential to maximize the amount of available escape time. For many years NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, has required as a minimum that smoke alarms be installed inside every sleep room (even for existing homes) in addition to requiring them outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. (Additional smoke alarms are required for larger homes.) Homes built to earlier standards often don’t meet these minimum requirements. Homeowners and enforcement authorities should recognize that detection needs have changed over the years and take proactive steps make sure that every home has a sufficient complement of smoke alarms.

Installing smoke alarms

  • Choose smoke alarms that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
  • Smoke alarms installed in the basement should be installed on the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs leading to the next level.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance to minimize false alarms when cooking.
  • Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises). Wall-mounted alarms should be installed not more than 12 inches away from the ceiling (to the top of the alarm).
  • If you have ceilings that are pitched, install the alarm within 3 feet of the peak but not within the apex of the peak (four inches down from the peak).

 smoke alarm location
Figure A.29.8.3.1 from NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (2013 edition).

  • Don’t install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.
  • Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.
  • For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound. Interconnection can be done using hard-wiring or wireless technology.
  • When interconnected smoke alarms are installed, it is important that all of the alarms are from the same manufacturer. If the alarms are not compatible, they may not sound.
  • There are two types of smoke alarms – ionization and photoelectric. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization-photoelectric alarms, also known as dual sensor smoke alarms, are recommended.
  • Keep manufacturer’s instructions for reference.

Testing smoke alarms

  • Smoke alarms should be maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
  • Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working well. The instructions are included in the package or can be found on the internet.
  • Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
  • Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
  • When replacing a battery, follow manufacturer’s list of batteries on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturer’s instructions are specific to the batteries (brand and model) that must be used. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.

Interconnected smoke alarms increase safety

In a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) survey of households with any fires, including fires in which the fire department was not called, interconnected smoke alarms were more likely to operate and alert occupants to a fire.1 People may know about a fire without hearing a smoke alarm.

  • When smoke alarms (interconnected or not) were on all floors, they sounded in 37% of fires and alerted occupants in 15%.
  • When smoke alarms were not on all floors, they sounded in only 4% of the fires and alerted occupants in only 2%.
  • In homes that had interconnected smoke alarms, the alarms sounded in half (53%) of the fires and alerted people in one-quarter (26%) of the fires.

Source: NFPA

Written by Tim Ernst · Categorized: Fire Prevention, Fire Prevention Media, Videos/Images · Tagged: 10-year, Alarm, battery, CPSC, interconnect, location, smoke

Oct 22 2014

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas. It has no odor. CO gas is poisonous. It can make a person feel sick and can be deadly. In the home, heating and cooking devices that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.

CO ALARMS

  • Co Alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. It is best to use interconnected alarms. When one sounds, all CO alarms in the home sound.
  • Follow the instructions on the package to properly install the CO alarm
  • Test alarms at least once a month
  • Replace CO alarm according to the instructions on the package
  • Know the sounds the CO alarm makes. It will sound if CO is detected. It will make a different sound if the battery is low or if it is time to get a new alarm
  • If the battery is low, replace it.
  • If the CO alarm sounds, you must get fresh air. Move outdoors, by an open window or near an open door. Make sure everyone in the home gets to fresh air. Dial 911 from a fresh air location and remain outside until help arrives

PREVENTING CO POISIONING

  • When warming a vehicle, move it out of the garage. Do not run a fueled engine indoors, even if the garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not blocked. Clear snow away.
  • During and after a snow storm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fire place are clear of snow build-up
  • Clear all debris from dryer, furnace, stove, and fire place are clear of snow build-up
  • A generator should be used outdoors. Use in a well-ventilated location away from windows, doors, and vent openings
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a professional before cold weather starts to set in
  • Open the damper when using a fire place for adequate ventilation
  • Never use your oven or stove to heat your home

Source: NFPA

Written by Tim Ernst · Categorized: Fire Prevention, Fire Prevention Media, Videos/Images · Tagged: air, alarms, carbon monoxide, co, combustion, detector, dryer, furnace, Garage, poisonous, sound, stove

Oct 22 2014

Portable Fireplace Safety

portable fireplace fuelThere is nothing like sitting by an open fire on a cold night. Indoor and outdoor portable ethanol burning fireplaces have become more popular in recent years. While these products provide ambiance and a little warmth, keep in mind the fuel, device and open flame can be dangerous.

Video: Here are a few tips to stay safe around portable fireplaces.

Ethanol fuel smarts
Store ethanol fuel in a closed container, away from the fireplace and out of the reach of children. It may not be easy to see the ethanol fuel flame. Always close the lid or use a snuffer to be sure the flame is extinguished before refueling into a cooled fireplace. Use only fuel made specifically for the fireplace.

Fireplace safety

  • A portable ethanol burning fireplace, and the fuel, should only be used by adults.
  • Clean up any fuel spillage and be sure all liquid has evaporated before lighting the fireplace.
  • Light the fireplace using a utility lighter or long match.
  • An adult should always be present when a portable fireplace is burning.
  • Place the fireplace on a sturdy surface away from table edges.
  • Never try to move a lit fireplace or one that is still hot.
  • Don’t pour ethanol fuel in a device that is lit or not completely cool. It may result in a fire or injury.
  • Allow the device to cool down for at least 15 minutes before refueling.
  • Extinguish the flame when you leave the room, home or go to sleep.

Written by Tim Ernst · Categorized: Dispatches, Fire Prevention Media, Videos/Images · Tagged: fireplaces, fuel, indoor, lighter, outdoor. flame, portable, safety

Feb 15 2014

Endless Winter Taxes Volunteers to be More Vigilant

The Winter of 2013-2014 is going down in history as one of the most severe and highest in snowfall. For the fire service it means responding to many more emergency calls for downed wires, fallen tree lines, and vehicle accidents on slick roads. Increased snow fall also means shoveling out hydrants and putting in place winter tactics such as shortening the time out in the elements and keeping hose lines running to keep them from freezing. On several occasions as the area was hit with large snowstorms, crews voluntarily stander at the firehouse around the clock to respond rapidly at the height of the storms. These crews also criss-crossed the township to shovel out hydrants that residents did not. It’s a good practice, that if you live near a hydrant to shovel it out as much as 3 feet around the hydrant so firefighters can properly hook up hose lines to battle a fire. Photos by Robert Wilmot, Jr.

Crews gear stands by on Squad 6, ready to respond
Our version of a bunk room…
Crews were kept busy digging out hydrants on area roadways.

Written by Tim Ernst · Categorized: Fire Prevention Media, Recent Incidents, Stand-by's, Videos/Images · Tagged: 2013, 2014, bunk room, fire service, hydrant, response, shovel, snow, Winter

May 20 2012

Clothes Dryer Safety

Doing laundry is most likely part of your every day routine. But did you know how important taking care of your clothes dryer is to the safety of your home?  With a few simple safety tips you can help prevent a clothes dryer fire.

NFPA recommends the following:

  • Have your dryer installed by a professional
  • Do not use the dryer without a lint filter
  • Clean the lint filter before or after each load
  • Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time
  • Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be checked by a professional to make sure the gas line and connection are in tact and free of leaks
  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions and do not overload
  • Turn the dryer off when you leave the home or go to bed

Information compiled by Flourtown firefighter Jim Belcher via NFPA

Written by Tim Ernst · Categorized: Fire Prevention, Fire Prevention Media · Tagged: buildup, combustible, dryer, fire, flames, Laundry, lint

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