SMOKE DETECTORS

There are several guidelines that must be followed regarding the location and replacement of smoke detectors.

We are offering the following information to help you, especially during time of resale of a dwelling, when a fire inspection will take place.
  • A minimum of one detector shall be located per level of dwelling, including basement.
  • In basements, the detector shall be located on the ceiling/beam at the bottom of the stairs.
  • Smoke detectors shall be located no father than 10 feet from bedroom doors.
  • Where a loft/attic area is open and can be used as a living space and there is a head space of 7 feet or more, a detector is required.
  • A floor level is a level with three steps or more between levels.
  • Existing hard-wired detectors can not be replaced with battery type.
  • If an alarm/central station system is in place the following information will be required:
    • Alarm company contact information (Including Name and Phone Number).
    • Code required to reset system.
In time of resale, please inform your agent to call at least 3-5 days in advance to ensure that your inspection can be done in a timely manner. The certificate is valid for 180 days from inspection date.

SMOKE DETECTOR TIPS

Smoke alarms save precious minutes — alerting families to danger before smoke and gases can overcome them. In a home fire, smoke detectors are your best protection.

PLACEMENT OF SMOKE DETECTORS

  • Location. Consider which parts of the house need protecting, where a fire would be most dangerous and how many units are needed. Plan one for each floor or level.
  • Sleeping areas. Put a detector within 10 feet of each bedroom door, preferably in the hallway. In a hallway longer than 30 feet, install one at each end. A unit in each room provides maximum protection.
  • Living room. Keep detector away from a fireplace or wood stove to avoid false alarms.
  • Hall and stairwell. Place a detector at the top of each stairwell and at each end of a long hall.
  • Kitchen (eating/dining area) – Keep detector away from cooking fumes.
  • Basement. Mount a detector on the ceiling/beam at the bottom of the stairs, away from the exhaust of a heating unit.

IS YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR A NUISANCE?

Were you ever tempted to take the batteries out of your smoke detector because it irritated you by going off when you were cooking? If so, you’re not alone. About 50% of all people with smoke detectors report they occasionally experience these “nuisance” alarms.

But before you disable your smoke detector, remember this: two-thirds of all fire deaths occur in households that have no working smoke detectors . Disabling your smoke detector will leave your household without the life-saving early warning that smoke detectors provide.

The following are some things you can do to minimize the occurrence of “nuisance” alarms:
  • Move your detector away from the path of cooking vapors. Quite often, moving a detector a short distance away form the cooking area is enough to reduce the occurrence of “nuisance” alarms.
  • Using an exhaust fan while you cook can prevent cooking vapors from reaching the alarm and setting it off.
  • If your detector annoys you by “chirping” or “beeping”, the batteries may be exhausted. Install new batteries.
  • Sometimes changing from an ionization type detector to a photoelectric detector can minimize nuisance alarms. The price of detectors, even the more expensive photoelectric ones, is relatively low.
  • If the alarm on your smoke detector ever sounds when it shouldn’t, don’t place your family’s safety in jeopardy by disarming the detector. The simple measures listed above should be sufficient to maintain your family’s safety WITHOUT experiencing annoying “nuisance” alarms.
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