Rick Bunzel
10-15-2013, 08:37 AM
Change those old Smoke Alarms.
29543
With Fire Prevention Week just ending I thought I would get this out
Replacing batteries in home smoke alarms is common ritual for many people as daylight savings time changes. But if smoke alarms in your home are more than 10 years old, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends replacing them, as well. Why? According to NFPA, aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. But it is working every minute, constantly monitoring the air 24 hours a day. For example, an ionization smoke alarm goes through 3.5 million monitoring cycles in 10 years. In a photoelectric smoke alarm , a light operates 24 hours a day to check for smoke particles in the air.
Since I have been in the fire service for almost 40 years I pay attention to smoke alarms and always amazed at the antiques I see in the homes I inspect. Why homeowners trust their lives with something that is 20 years or older is bewildering. I have a standard comment that recommends all older smoke alarms be replaced following the NFPA 72 Standard. Smoke alarms should be installed in hallways and each bedroom. NFPA recommends a mix of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms. If the home has tall ceilings or difficult to reach smoke alarms I will also recommend installed lithium batteries. Lithium batteries will last 10 years in a smoke alarm.
NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=72&DocNum=72&order_src=CO72&lid=CO72)
Smoke alarms (http://www.nfpa.org/research/statistical-reports/fire-protection-systems/smoke-alarms-in-us-home-fires)
UL | Maximizing Safety: Proper Smoke Alarm Use (http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/corporate/newsroom/storyideas/smokealarms/tips/)
http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/119009/559.pdf
Lets be safe out there!
29543
With Fire Prevention Week just ending I thought I would get this out
Replacing batteries in home smoke alarms is common ritual for many people as daylight savings time changes. But if smoke alarms in your home are more than 10 years old, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends replacing them, as well. Why? According to NFPA, aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. But it is working every minute, constantly monitoring the air 24 hours a day. For example, an ionization smoke alarm goes through 3.5 million monitoring cycles in 10 years. In a photoelectric smoke alarm , a light operates 24 hours a day to check for smoke particles in the air.
Since I have been in the fire service for almost 40 years I pay attention to smoke alarms and always amazed at the antiques I see in the homes I inspect. Why homeowners trust their lives with something that is 20 years or older is bewildering. I have a standard comment that recommends all older smoke alarms be replaced following the NFPA 72 Standard. Smoke alarms should be installed in hallways and each bedroom. NFPA recommends a mix of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms. If the home has tall ceilings or difficult to reach smoke alarms I will also recommend installed lithium batteries. Lithium batteries will last 10 years in a smoke alarm.
NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=72&DocNum=72&order_src=CO72&lid=CO72)
Smoke alarms (http://www.nfpa.org/research/statistical-reports/fire-protection-systems/smoke-alarms-in-us-home-fires)
UL | Maximizing Safety: Proper Smoke Alarm Use (http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/corporate/newsroom/storyideas/smokealarms/tips/)
http://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/119009/559.pdf
Lets be safe out there!