Life Safety - Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are the first line of defense in case of fire. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has found that as many as one-fifth of detectors in houses are not operational, primarily because owners don’t replace the batteries.

Nearly half of home fires and fire deaths take place in residences without working detectors. Most fire victims die from inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not as a result of burns. Most deaths and injuries occur in fires that happen at night while the victims are asleep.

There are two types of smoke detectors:

• ionization type: better suited to detecting fast fires that consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly e.g. a waste basket fire or a kitchen grease fire. These account for 70 per cent of all fires

• photoelectric type: designed to detect slow fires that may smolder for hours before bursting into flame e.g. a cigarette burning in a couch. 

Tips:

• Make sure detectors are placed either on the ceiling or 15 to 30 cm below the ceiling on the wall. Locate smoke detectors away from air vents or registers; high air-flow or “dead” spots should be avoided.

• Smoke alarms are not suggested for kitchens, bathrooms or garages where there are fumes, steam or exhaust that could set them off unnecessarily.

• Make sure the detectors in your place are in good operating condition. Test them once a month by pushing the test button.

• Once a year, hold a lit cigarette, incense or a candle that you’ve just blown out, near the detector until the alarm sounds. If the alarm is battery-powered and doesn't sound, replace the battery and try again. If it's electrically connected to household circuits and doesn't sound, check the fuse and try again. It should sound within 20 seconds.

• If your battery-powered detector begins to emit its low-power warning, such as a chirping sound, replace the battery immediately with a fresh one. Make the replacement of batteries a seasonal task; change the battery, for instance, when resetting your clocks in the fall or spring. Make sure the detectors are installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use rechargeable batteries.

• Replace detectors that are more than 10 years old, or err on the side of caution and replace them every five years.

• Clean the device according to the instructions. Remove and wipe the cover with a damp cloth. Gently vacuum the inside of the alarm. Replace the cover and test the alarm.

• Install detectors on each level of your home, including the basement. You might want to install both types of detectors on each floor of the house. The most important location is near the bedrooms to provide early warning when people are asleep.

• Develop and practice an escape route to be used in the event of a house fire.

• Call the manufacturer’s toll-free number if you have any concerns about your detector.