Local building codes and fire safety regulations require every sleeping room (and every level of your home for larger houses) to have a smoke alarm installed. Unfortunately, not all smoke alarms are created equal – different kinds and brands provide varying levels of protection.
What are the ways to improve the level of fire protection in your home? One way is to upgrade your smoke alarm. However, before you look for a new smoke alarm, it’d be a good idea to familiarize yourself with some key facts about smoke alarms.
In general, there are two types of smoke alarms: photoelectric and smoke alarms. Photoelectric sensors respond better to smoldering flames, fires that begin with a long period of smoldering. As the name suggests, a photoelectric sensor uses a photoelectric sensor and a light source. When smoke fills the room, light particles are dispersed, triggering the smoke alarm.
Ionization smoke alarms, on the other hand, are able to detect flaming fires quicker. This type of smoke alarm uses an ionization chamber, which is made of a small amount of radioactive material placed between two electrically charged plates. Smoke can disrupt the ionization process and the electrical current flowing between the two plates, triggering the alarm.
Regardless of the type of smoke alarm you install, the National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing the smoke alarm every 10 years.
Interconnecting the smoke alarms can help increase your home’s fire protection. There are two ways of doing that: either you have the smoke alarms hardwired or connected through a wireless connection.
Buying tip: If you’re looking for a smart home alarm system, Nest Protect is one of the most popular smart smoke alarms on the market. It can inform you where and what the danger is while speaking in a human voice. Plus, if you can’t stand sudden noises, Nest Protect will give you a heads-up before triggering the loud alarms. To learn more about your smart smoke alarm options, you can consult a local contractor.
Want something less techie? ELAN® G automatically shuts off your HVAC system and flashes all the lights in your home to signal for help, saving valuable time for responders. One more thing: to make sure you get to enjoy all these benefits, only hire reputable contractors.
WiHome Integration offers a wide range of professional automation, interactive security and audio/video services. For inquiries, you can call us at (703) 214-2890, or fill out our contact form. We serve homeowners in Fairfax Station, Arlington County and Leesburg, VA.