Every year many people die from house fires. While a house fire can be prevented, accidents will happen. Fire alarms can save you and your family’s life by alerting you to a house fire. Most people who die from a house fire do so because of smoke inhalation. Fire alarms alert you to smoke or heat before the fire consumes your entire house, making it impossible for you to breathe.
The most important part of any fire alarm system is the smoke detector. Smoke detectors can save your life by alerting you to smoke from fire. You can find many smoke detectors that can also detect the odorless, but deadly carbon monoxide. Most rooms in the home should be equipped with a smoke detector. The number of smoke detectors in your home is determined by its size. Some areas may require several smoke detectors. All smoke detectors rely on batteries for power. Newly built homes will have smoke detectors already hooked to the electrical wiring, but they still contain a backup battery. Change your battery at least once a year, and check each smoke detector to make sure it works.
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 should never replace a smoke detector because smoke from the fire may kill you before the heat detector sounds. Heat detectors can be used to compliment smoke detectors. In fact, heat detectors are best used in areas that smoke detectors cannot be placed, like the kitchen. Before purchasing a heat detector, be sure to choose the right one to match your location. For instance, do not place a rate-of-rise heat detector in a room where the heat can rise quickly, or it can sound needlessly and become annoying.
Even though sprinkler systems are costly, they are worth every penny because they can stop a fire from burning out of control. A sprinkler head releases water when it reaches a specific temperature. Each sprinkler head has its own detection system; so only those closest to the fire will release water. This type of system gives the sprinkler heads closest to the fire extra pressure and water to extinguish 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 lives and property. While a smoke detector is necessary for any home or business, combining it with heat detectors and sprinkler systems can increase the survival of people and property.
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