There is more to a home alarm system than just indicating an intrusion. It is also capable of detecting certain environmental hazards, including fire and smoke.
Because fires can cause significant damage, this is extremely helpful. In fact, according to information from the National Fire Protection Association, almost 1.3 million fires were reported in the U.S. in 2014, which resulted in over $11.6 billion in property damage, 15,775 injuries, and 3,275 deaths. With the right sensors in place you can avoid the damages and injuries caused by fire and smoke.
However, smoke and heat detectors can only work properly when they are installed correctly and in the correct locations. Some tips that will help you know where these life-saving devices should be installed are found here.
Keep it High
Heat and smoke rises. As a result, it is only natural to install your smoke and heat detectors high. Ideally, you should place these on the ceiling, but high up on a wall will also work. Make sure you don’t put it too close to where the ceiling and wall meet.
If the room has a pointed ceiling, don’t place the sensor at the very top where the wall and wall meet. Place it at least a foot from that point.
The Right Room
The most important place to put smoke and heat detectors in is the bedroom. Don’t just install these in one bedroom. You need to put them in every bedroom in the house. In fact, this is recommended by the NFPA. At the very least, you need to have a smoke and heat sensor outside of each sleeping area and on every level of the house.
Places to Avoid Installing these Sensors
There are certain parts of the home you don’t need to install a heat and smoke detector. The first place you should avoid is your kitchen. The smoke from cooking can easily trigger the alarm, which can be annoying.
Also, avoid installing the sensors near or in a bathroom. Bath and shower steam can be interpreted as smoke.
If you have a fireplace in your home, it is fine to put a sensor in the same room. However, make sure it is not installed to closely to the fireplace since the heat may trigger it. Instead, install the device close to the end of the room, opposite of your fireplace.
Ask Questions
If you are still unsure of where you should install smoke and fire detectors in your home, it is best to consult with the professionals. They can visit your home and determine exactly where these devices should be installed. When you let the professionals take over, you can have peace of mind that your home and family is protected.
To learn more about fire and smoke detector installation, make sure to contact the professional staff at Teague Security. Here you can find the answers to all your home security questions.