Fire Alarms Can Save Lives
Fire alarms help prevent death and property damage. While they can be pricey for a large system, fire alarms are worth every penny. In order to work effectively, fire alarms must be properly maintained. The entire system must also work together to save lives, property, and be economical. Smoke and heat detectors work with sprinkler systems to alert people to fire while extinguishing flames before the fire can spread.
Smoke detectors alert you to any smoke in the air through individual sensors. Smoke detectors may include carbon monoxide detection as well since, unlike smoke, you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide. Smoke detector units should be strategically place in your home so that smoke can be detected in any room. Larger homes will require more smoke detector units. Each smoke detector unit houses a battery that should be changed and tested at least once a year. Newer homes will have smoke detector units built right into the electrical system, but it will still contain a backup battery that should be tested. Check your smoke detectors often to make sure they work. Having an inactive smoke detector is as good as having no smoke detector at all.
Heat detectors can save lives by alerting you to a large temperature increase or dramatic change in temperature. A rate-of-raise heat detector determines how fast the temperature is changing. A quick rise in temperature over one minute can sound the alarm. A fixed temperature heat detector measures a large increase in temperature, and will sound when it reaches the temperature threshold.
Heat detectors cannot be used without a smoke detector because smoke is more likely to kill you than the flames. Smoke can also be detected first before flames are even present. Heat detectors are great to pair with smoke detectors since you can use heat detectors in the kitchen or other areas where smoke detectors would sound too easily. When choosing a heat detector, be sure to place the right one in a room where it will not be so sensitive. The fixed temperature heat detector may be more suitable in the kitchen since cooking can increase the temperature too quickly.
Sprinklers systems can save lives by putting out a fire before it has the chance to destroy the entire house. Once a specific temperature is reached, the sprinklers will release water over the fire. Each sprinkler head must be activated in order to release water. If a fire breaks out in one area of the house, only the sprinkler heads in that area will release water. This gives the sprinkler heads more pressure and water to put out the fire.
While a sprinkler system can cause water damage, it can save your home from complete destruction. Waiting for firefighters to extinguish the flames can cause a bigger fire, and more water is needed to put it out. It is much cheaper to repair a small area of water damage than it is to replace your entire home.
Fire alarms can save your life and your pocketbook. A smoke detector can save your life, but the combination of a smoke detector, heat detector, and sprinkler system can save you thousands of dollars worth of damage.
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