According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than one-quarter of reported fires in the United States are residential. Moreover, residential fires in Pennsylvania are slightly higher than the national average. While many of these fires are small and quickly extinguished some result in severe structural damage, injuries, or even loss of life.
For this reason, every home should have an interconnected residential fire alarm system setup. These systems are designed to provide early warning of a fire so that occupants can evacuate the premises quickly and safely.
Yet, to be effective, residential fire alarm systems must be installed in the right locations. Otherwise, they may not detect a fire in its early stages or provide adequate warning to occupants.
Every second counts in a fire, so it’s important to make sure your residential fire alarm systems are installed properly. So, where should these alarms be located within your home?
Here’s everything you need to know.
1. Each Level of the Home
If your home is more than one story, you should install a residential fire alarm system on every level. This includes basements, attics, and any other habitable space.
Installing alarms on each level ensures that occupants will be warned of a fire, no matter where it starts. For instance, if a fire starts in the basement, the interconnected alarm system on the first and second floors will sound, giving occupants time to evacuate.
Having a fire alarm system on every floor increases the likelihood of early detection. This gives firefighters a head start in putting it out – so they can contain the blaze before it has a chance to spread and cause more damage.
2. Every Sleeping Area
Did you know roughly half of all residential fire deaths occur between 10 pm and 6 am?
This is because people often have their doors closed for privacy when they are asleep. The closed doors block out light and noise, making it harder for people to notice a fire or hear a distant alarm. Also, people are more likely to be disoriented and confused when they first wake up if the threat is not immediately apparent.
To mitigate this risk, it’s important to install a residential fire alarm system in every sleeping area of your home. This includes bedrooms, guest rooms, and any other space where people regularly sleep. These alarms should be placed on the ceiling so they can be easily heard if they go off in the middle of the night.
3. The Hallway
Along with every sleeping area, installing an alarm in hallways leading to each room is crucial.
The hallways provide a direct path of travel to the sleeping areas and other commonly used rooms. So, by installing an alarm in these areas, you can ensure that everyone in the home is quickly alerted.
If a hallway is long or has multiple doors leading off of it, installing an alarm at each end is the best move. This way, if one alarm is disabled or covered by debris, the other can still warn occupants of the fire.
Finally, since hallways are the main thoroughfares in a home, they’re also a good place for your residential fire alarm system provider to install the control panel. By doing so, you can easily access the system to turn it on and off or make any necessary adjustments.
4. The Kitchen
Many fires start in the kitchen, often because of unattended cooking, left-on appliances, and electrical issues. For this reason, installing an alarm in or near the kitchen is essential.
Residential fire alarm systems should not be in direct sight of the stove, as smoke from cooking could potentially create a false alarm. Instead, the alarm should be located a couple of feet away from the stove, on the ceiling.
If your kitchen is small, placing your residential fire alarm system near the door leading out of the room is a good idea. That way, you can ensure that the alarm will sound if a fire starts while you’re cooking.
5. The Living Room
Like the kitchen, the living room is another common area for fires to start. This is often due to electrical issues, such as overloaded outlets and faulty wiring. All too often, people are unaware of the potential dangers posed by these electrical hazards until it’s too late.
To help reduce the risk of a fire starting in the living room, it’s important to install an alarm in or near the room. Once again, the alarm should be located on the ceiling, a couple of feet away from any potential false alarm sources.
It’s also important to note that, in some homes, the living room and kitchen may be one ample open space. In these cases, it’s best to have a residential fire alarm system set up just outside both rooms.
When Was the Last Time You Examined Your Residential Fire Alarm System?
As you can see, there are several critical areas of the home where it’s important to have a residential fire alarm system installed. Setting up a system may seem easy, but without a professional, it can be easy to overlook certain aspects. Working with an expert will ensure there are no errors and that the entire home is covered.
If you need a residential fire alarm system provider in Pittsburgh and the Tri-City Area, the team at 2 Krew Security & Surveillance is ready to assist. We understand the importance of keeping your home and loved ones safe. We offer a wide range of fire alarm systems and services, including installation, monitoring, and maintenance.
If you’re interested in learning more about our offerings or would like a free quote, contact us today. One of our friendly representatives will be happy to answer any questions you might have!
