Do You Have Smoke Detectors (What Kind?)

[pitc9]

Yes, we had the house appraised and had to have working smoke detectors. Now the challenge will be to keep the batteries fresh in them. Although, they do an annoying beep....beep.....beep when the battery is dying. And I try to actually CHANGE the battery instead of just disengaging it.

I (try to remember to) change the batteries twice a year when we change the time.

Yes, I have smoke detectors and a CO detector

[anna_66]

Yep, sure do. Actually we just got some new ones this summer.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Of corse! We have them in each bedroom, the living room and the hallway.

[lizbud]

A local news station joined with the Fire dept. to conduct a series of tests
of the different kind of smoke alarms available. One was overwhelmingly
better than the older (standard type) alarm. This lead to a change in fire
protection alarm devices reccommended.

I have the old style but think the newer photoelectric one might be
much safer. I wish they weren't so expensive,but if they work better,
it just might be worth it.

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?s=7168767

[cloverfdx]

Yes of course.

[Hellow]

Yes, i do. I believe that it is mandatory down here to have them. And i have some pet door stickers to warn the fire fighters that we have pets ordered.

[cassiesmom]

I'd like to bump up this old thread again with a question for Phred. My village passed an ordinance that each residence must have a CO detector. No problem, I bought one at the Home Depot and it was easy to put up.

Now for the question ... can I re-hang the existing smoke detector in a different spot? It was there when I bought the unit and I've been testing it and replacing the battery every spring when I put the clock ahead. How long does a smoke detector last, or, is there a way to tell when it stops working? I'd like to put it in the back bedroom because one of my neighbors down the hall uses the laundry room for my floor, which is on the other side of my back bedroom, as her personal smoking lounge when it's too cold to smoke outside. She usually extinguishes her cigarettes by running them under water and then tossing them into the trash can, but I don't want to be taking any chances since I'm in the unit adjacent to the laundry room.

Thanks,
elyse

[kokopup]

Yes, I have 5 that are battery powered and one that is wired into our home
security system. We also have a Carbon Monoxide detector.

[Laura's Babies]

I have 2. One that is wired into the house and one on battery. FOLKS, don't forget to check them monthly to make sure they are working!!! Mark your calanders, say on the first of the month and check them MONTHLY!

[Cinder & Smoke]

My village passed an ordinance that each residence must have a CO detector.
No problem, I bought one at the Home Depot and it was easy to put up.

Now for the question ... can I re-hang the existing smoke detector in a different spot?

It was there when I bought the unit and I've been testing it and
replacing the battery every spring when I put the clock ahead.
How long does a smoke detector last?

She usually extinguishes her cigarettes by running them under water and
then tossing them into the trash can

First - WHAT did you buy?
They now make "combination" Carbon Monoxide AND Smoke Detectors -
but they are "pricey" -- $60.00 or more each.
If you paid less than about $40.00 - chances are you have a Carbon Monoxide ONLY detector -
which will NOT sense smoke or fire.
A "combination" unit will proudly proclaim it's ability to sense both CO AND
smoke/fire ...
the CO ONLY detector will only mention CO in the instructions.

IF you did buy a "combination CO + Smoke detector - then that one
unit will
protect ONE living space or area.

If you bought a Carbon Monoxide ONLY detector; then you STILL NEED
a properly mounted SMOKE Detectoor to protect the area the CO detector
is located in. READ the instruction sheet that came packed with the unit.
------------------

How long does a smoke detector last?

Most manufacturers suggest 10 years is the safe life of a typical battery-powered Smoke Detector.
Carbon Monoxide detectors are only rated for 5 years of life.

WHICH Type of Smoke Detector to buy?

When they first came out, "smoke alarms" were mostly the cheaper
"Ionization" type detectors - good for sensing FLAMING fires.

Current beliefs are that the newer, more expensive, "Photoelectric Detectors" do a better
(quicker) job of detecting a smokey, smouldering fire - the kind
that strikes the average home more often than a quick-burning, flaming fire.

And of course, the major manufacturers NOW cram both an Ionization
AND a Photoelectric sensor inside a single detector - best of both worlds.

You have to carefully READ the labels to tell what you're getting!!
And then READ the Instructions to learn HOW to install it!!

----------
As for THIS >>>
"She usually extinguishes her cigarettes by running them under water and
then tossing them into the trash can"

< gasp>

Give her a POP CAN half-full of water to dump her butts into!
I'd bet HALF the house fires I've worked at were caused by smoking materials.

Hope this Helps!

/s/ Phred

[krazyaboutkatz]

I live in a condo and my building just replaced all of the smoke detectors with better newer ones last year. We have an annual fire alarm testing and they also test eveyone's smoke detector's too.

[pomtzu]

I have 3 that are wired into the electrical system of the house, but they are also battery backed up should there be a power failure. They are all wired together, so if one goes off - they all go off.

Talk about loud with all 3 blaring - YIKES!

[prechrswife]

I have 3 that are wired into the electrical system of the house, but they are also battery backed up should there be a power failure. They are all wired together, so if one goes off - they all go off.

Talk about loud with all 3 blaring - YIKES!

We have some of those, too, including some new ones. One night the new ones malfunctioned around 2 a.m. We ended up calling the fire department out, and they confirmed it was equipment failure. Needless to say, the new ones have been replaced with even newer ones...