Placing Smoke Detectors in the Best Spots
Installing smoke detectors should be a priority for homeowners since they can save lives. Proper smoke detector placement will reduce the chance of fire damage and injury. This article discusses the best locations for your smoke detectors to provide maximum protection for you and your family.
Bedrooms and Smoke Detector Placement
Install smoke detectors inside each bedroom and directly outside in shared hallways. People are less alert when sleeping, so this ensures they will hear an alarm if a fire breaks out in the middle of the night.
Basements and Attics
If you have an interconnected smoke alarm system, install a unit in the basement and attic. It’s recommended to have an interconnected smoke alarm system installed so that every alarm in the series will sound even if only one detects smoke.
This way, you will be notified of a fire no matter where you are in the house. If a basement smoke detector goes off in the middle of the night on a two-story home, the interconnected smoke alarms will sound throughout the house, waking everyone so they can safely exit the home.
Don’t Forget Staircases for Smoke Detector Placement
Place a smoke detector at the top of the stairwells. If a fire starts in a lower level of the home, the detectors will sound as the smoke rises, alerting members of the family on the upper floors.
Living Rooms
Your living area should have a smoke detector, particularly if you have a fireplace. Putting a detector too close to a fireplace will result in false alarms. Instead, place the unit 10 feet from the fireplace for good smoke detector placement.
The Kitchen for Smoke Detector Placement
Kitchens are the place where most fires begin because of cooking combined with flammable materials like oils and paper towels. Place smoke detectors at least 10 feet away from the stove or other cooking equipment to limit false alarms from regular cooking activity.
Know the Different Types of Detectors
There are two types of detectors, photoelectric and ionization. Each responds differently to smoke and fire. Photoelectric detectors work better for smoldering fires or ones that start slowly. Ionization detectors are better for flaming fires or ones that start more quickly. It’s best to use both types around your home so that you’re covered for both scenarios.
Proper smoke detector placement is only one element of fire safety. It’s important that you know what to do if a fire breaks out in your house. Sit down with your family and come up with a fire emergency plan. Make it memorable for your children by practicing the drill live. Practice this regularly so that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.
M&T Inspection Services offers home inspections to customers in Indianapolis. Contact us to request our services.