Is your home or office fully protected in case of a fire?
It is recommended that every home have a smoke alarm outside of each sleeping area and carbon/smoke detectors within 10 feet of the outside of every sleeping area.
It is important to note that smoke alarms do not last forever and have a limited lifespan. That lifespan is approximately 10 years. Batteries are to be replaced every six months according to the National Fire Protection Association. If you hear a chirp, don’t put off getting fresh batteries or the alarm may not work as it is supposed to.
There are four different types of fire alarm:
- Ionization Alarm: This alarm is ideal for fast burning fires. Ionized detectors have a consistent electrical flow between two metal plates inside the device. This current is interrupted when smoke enters the chamber and that triggers the alarm to sound.
- Photoelectric Alarms: They work in a similar way but rather than an electrical current they operate on a beam of light. When smoke particles enter the chamber, the light beam is scattered triggering the alarm. This device type is good for identifying smaller fires. They are reliable and rarely go off falsely.
- Heat Alarms: This type of alarm is set of by a rise in temperature caused by flame. These have been known to give a false alarm occasionally and have a longer reaction time than the other two listed above. This type of alarm is best suited for non-occupied structures such as warehouses or storage buildings.
- Combination Photoelectric and Ionized Alarms: This is a favorite for many professional electricians. They ensure any smoke is detected as soon as possible giving you the best chance to fight the fire and or escape to safety.
Is your Southwest Florida home or office
fully protected in case of fire?
Smoke detector / fire alarm statistics
- As of 2018 fire/smoke alarms were present in just 74% of homes.
- Three out of five home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no alarms or where alarms had not been inspected and failed to operate.
- The death risk for homes with properly installed alarms is 55% lower than in homes without them.
- Hardwired smoke alarms operated correctly in 94 percent of fires.
- *These statistics are courtesy of nfpa.org
If you need your smoke or fire alarms repaired, replaced or installed, contact the experts at Beattie Home Services.
Schedule an Appointment with a Southwest Florida Licensed Electrician to install or repair your smoke detectors today!
The electrical experts at Beattie Home Services will be happy to help you schedule an appointment for your testing, inspection or repair of your residential or commercial smoke alarm needs. Call us at 239-766-4160 or contact us online to make an appointment.
Beattie Home Services proudly provides expert home maintenance and repair services to all of Southwest Florida (SWFL), including Charlotte County, Collier County, and Lee County, and places such as Bokeelia, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Charlotte Harbor, Estero, Fort Myers, Golden Gate, Harbour Heights, Immokalee, Iona, Lehigh Acres, Lely Resort, Manasota Key, Marco Island, Naples Manor, Naples, Orangetree, Pine Island, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Rotonda West, San Carlos Park, Sanibel, St. James City and more.