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You are here: Home / Archives for smoke

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

Jan 07 2013

Electrical Fire at Local Shopping Center

On Sunday, January 6, 2013, Flourtown Fire Company, along with Oreland Fire Company and Wyndmoor Hose Company responded to a smoky electrical fire outside the Dollar Tree store in the Flourtown Plaza. A dry chemical extinguisher was used to put out the fire. PECO and the shopping center’s realty company took over the scene after first responders secured the scene and made sure the stores and surrounding stores were properly evacuated. All photos by Bob Wilmot, Jr.

Written by Tim Ernst · Categorized: Building Fires, Videos/Images · Tagged: Dollar, electrical, fire, Flourtown, Oreland, shopping center, smoke, Tree, underground, Wyndmoor

Nov 23 2012

Fairlane Grill Fire – October 13, 2012

On October 13, 2012, a report of smoke was made in the area of the Fairlane Grill, 617 Bethlehem Pike. Responding units from Flourtown Fire Company, reported heavy smoke coming from the rear of the building and the incident was escalated. Wyndmoor, Oreland and Wissahickon Fire Companies responded and crews tracked a small fire coming from the kitchen had extended in the rear wall of the restaurant to apartment above. Flourtown made access to the roof and removed some of the roof to extinguish the fire. The Fairlane Grill was closed for repairs and re-opened on November 5.

Written by Tim Ernst · Categorized: Building Fires, Videos/Images · Tagged: apartment, Fairlane, fire, Flourtown, grill, Oreland, Roof, small, smoke, Wissahickon, Wyndmoor

Sep 03 2010

Whitemarsh Twp. Commercial Box 9-2-2010

Station 6 (Flourtown) and Station (29) dispatched on box 32-28 for the commercial building fire. Chief 6 went en-route and was advised by county that roofers were doing work on the building and the building was filling with smoke and possibly had fire in the wall.  County also advised that the alarm company was on the phone and was reporting a smoke detector activation for the building. Upon arrival Chief 6 had smoke showing from the area the roofers had been working in. Engine 6 arrived and pulled an 1-3/4 and went to open up the exterior wall. Ladder 6’s crew went to the interior to open up and check for extension in the wall. Fire was found in the wall and extinguished as the crew’s opened up. 29′ s crew assisted with ventilation and checking for extension to the 3rd floor.

Written by gwilmot3 · Categorized: Building Fires, Recent Incidents, Videos/Images · Tagged: Barren Hill, Chief 6, Flourtown, smoke, St. Thomas

Dec 01 2007

Papermill Rd. – Residential Building Fire

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Written by Rob Brzezinski · Categorized: Building Fires · Tagged: fire, House, office, Papermill, Road, Robert Wilmot, Roof, smoke, Thompson, venting

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