| |
| FAQ |
| Smoke
Alarm |
| 1. Why do I need to install smoke
alarms? |
| More than half of fire deaths occur
in the home, mainly between the hours of 10 p.m.
and 6 a.m. Smoke and toxic fumes precede a fire
and kill quickly when inhaled, making product detection
vital. A smoke alarm will give that critically early
warning, detecting smoke before you can see it or
smell it. |
| 2. Where should I install smoke alarms? |
Having a smoke and fire alarm in
the home is good, but having it in the right place
is even better!
For minimum coverage, a smoke and fire alarm should
be installed on every level of the home and in every
sleeping area.
For maximum protection, a detector should be installed
on every level including:
1. basements and finished attics.
2. each bedroom and in the hall outside of every
sleeping area.
3. at the top and bottom of stairways.
4. rooms that are frequently used.
For reliable performance:
1.Vaccum the outside with a brush attachment every
month.
2.Wipe the outside with a damp cloth. |
| 3. What is the difference between
ionization and photoelectric type smoke alarms? |
Ionization alarms are best for responding
somewhat faster to flaming fires. The vast majority
of home fires are flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms
are best for responding somewhat faster to smoldering
fires and areas in the home prone to nuisance alarms
from cooking. It is also best for households where
a smoker is present as cigarettes cause most smouldering
fires. For complete protection, use both ionization
and photoelectric smoke alarms in your home.
A light transmission source and a photosensitive
receiver is used in this design. Light that is transmitted
fall upon the receiver. When smoke or dust enters
the light path, some of the light is scattered or
absorbed. The result of a increase of light falling
upon the photosensitive receiver will cause an alarm.
Photoelectric smoke alarm is best for detecting
smouldering fires. |
| |
| Carbon
Monoxide Alarm |
| 1. Where is the
proper place to install my residential Carbon Monoxide
(CO) detectors? |
| We recommend you place CO alarms
near the sleeping areas, and on each level of the
home. A good rule of thumb for the number and placement
of CO alarms for your particular home is to place
CO alarms near smoke and fire alarms that have been
installed to meet current building code requirements
in your area. Do not place CO alarms in the furnace
room, kitchen or garage as these locations could
lead to nuisance alarms. |
| 2. Is one unit
enough for my home and if not how many should I
have? |
| Generally, one detector can be adequate
for 1,200 to 1,500 square feet of living space.
The most important determination for the number
of CO alarms needed is whether an alarm can be heard
in all sleeping areas. If you install only one CO
alarm in your home, install the detector near bedrooms,
not in the basement or furnace room. |
| 3. At what height
should I install my CO alarm? |
| For ease of viewing the visual indicators,
it is recommended to place the CO alarm at eye level
or above. Do not place the CO alarm in "dead
air" spaces (no closer than 6" from the
ceiling or floor) or turbulent air spaces such as
by an open window, door or by a ceiling fan. |
| 4. Is CO heavier
or lighter than air? |
| CO is slightly lighter than air and
as it begins to rise, it mixes with surrounding
air and diffuses throughout the house. |
| 5. Where does the
CO come from? |
Carbon monoxide may be caused by
a number of things. Running a car in the garage,
a fuel burning appliance emitting CO at start up
or if flame is not burning properly, even cigarette
smoke generates carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide
is produced when burning any fossil fuel, and is
a product of incomplete combustion.
When your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, ventilate
your home by opening windows and turn off all fuel
burning appliances. After ventilating the area,
make sure that no contaminant gases (aerosols, paints,
solvents, etc. are present, they can also set off
a CO alarm. Check to see if a car is running in
the garage or a fuel-burning appliance has been
turned on (furnace, water heater, stove, etc.) Contact
a qualified technician to inspect your home for
the source of CO.
If you are feeling flu-like symptoms (headache,
nausea, dizziness, etc.) get to fresh air immediately
and contact your physician or call for emergency
medical services. |
| 6. Will low levels
of carbon monoxide harm me and my family? If we
have been exposed to low levels of CO will this
have a long term physical effect on us? |
| It depends on the concentration of
CO as well as the length of exposure. Each individual
will be effected in different ways which may include
short term and long term physical problems. If you
suspect that you have had long term exposure to
CO, you should contact your family physician and
have a "Carboxyhemomoglobin" level blood
test done to see if there is any CO accumulation
in your blood. Your physician can discuss with you
what if any long term effects CO poisoning may have
on you or your family members. Exposure to CO poisoning
will have a different effect on each individual
depending on length of exposure, CO concentration
level, body weight, age, activity of the person
at the time of poisoning, as well as many other
contributing factors. |
| |
| |
