A fully functioning home fire alarm system can mean the difference between life and death for more than 350,000 families in the United States each year. That figure represents the annual average number of house and apartment fires that put property and lives at risk, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. While a standard residential fire alarm may give occupants the 2 minutes they need to evacuate, too many fail at the critical moment. When a home fire alarm doesn’t sound off, families lose the short window they need to get out safely.
At 2 Krew Security and Surveillance, we work closely with community members to ensure they have a life-saving home fire alarm installation in PA. These are 5 reasons why a home fire alarm that only meets the minimum building code and safety standards could remain silent while a fire rages out of control.
1. Kitchen Smoke Detectors Not Functioning
It’s important to have an honest and candid conversation about smoke detectors. When they are positioned within 10 feet of a stove, toaster, or another device that generates heat or smoke, occupants become increasingly annoyed by the frequency of their activation. After homeowners or apartment renters are forced to climb on chairs or step ladders and turn them off multiple times, too many remove the batteries or cover the home fire alarm.
While shutting down one element of a home fire alarm system may not seem inherently dangerous, cooking is the leading cause of house fires. If a pan is left on a hot burner, it’s very possible you and your family won’t know there’s a threat until the smoke or heat reaches the next sensor. The solution to an overly sensitive home fire alarm component isn’t sidelining it. A customized residential fire alarm system can account for reasonable levels of heat and smoke coming from kitchen appliances and provide the early detection you need to stay out of harm’s way.
2. Dead Batteries in Smoke Detectors
If you use smoke detectors that are not hard-wired, the basic models typically emit a chirping sound when the 9V or AA batteries begin to lose their charge. It’s not uncommon for residents to not have replacements handy. To stop the noise, some disconnect the unit until they make a trip to the store and purchase new ones. Unfortunately, batteries don’t always make the shopping list, and the unit sits idle.
It’s difficult to determine how many fire alarm units fail due to dead or depleted batteries each year. Some suggest that upwards of 30 percent of these minimum fire code products are not functioning at full capacity. The obvious solution involves having a professional home fire alarm installation in PA that hard-wires each unit.
3. Dust and Debris Accumulations Cover Sensors
Even though everyday people clean and sanitize their living spaces, airborne particles cling to unusual places. One of these appears to be residential fire alarm units, which are typically located on ceilings. Difficult to see with the naked eye, minuscule flakes float through the air when someone vacuums, sweeps the floor, performs routine dusting, refills a cat litter box, and an assortment of other chores.
Over time, dust and debris accumulate on the delicate home fire alarm sensors that detect thick smoke. In some instances, foreign matter triggers false alarms. In others, it slowly forms a patina that impedes the proper operation of the device.
Homeowners and renters tend to be hesitant to make contact with smoke and heat detectors, fearing they’ll trigger an alarm or damage the unit. Truth be told, the components of a residential fire alarm system can handle light contact. Consider using a vacuum cleaner extension with soft bristles to remove caked-on dust or debris. You can also use a feather duster to eliminate the presence of dust. If the unit has been compromised by dust and debris, it is best to err on the side of caution and have the home fire alarm unit replaced.
4. Steam and Excessive Humidity
You may have noticed that smoke and carbon monoxide (CO2) detectors are generally not installed in bathrooms. The driving reason residential fire alarm companies typically avoid these spaces stems from the fact that steam and humidity negatively impact their effectiveness. Hot showers create thick mist that carries dense moisture particles to the detectors. The damp air tends to confuse photoelectric sensors. After the steam turns into condensation, it clings to the unit’s ionization chamber. You may incur false alarms or a deficient system that fails to alert occupants who are in danger.
The solution to steam-compromised smoke and CO2 detectors involves relocating them away from high-humidity areas, such as near bathroom doors or dishwashers. It’s critical that every aspect of your home fire alarm system functions at maximum capacity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
5. Outdated Residential Fire Alarm System
Like automobiles, refrigerators, computers, and other manufactured products, a home fire alarm system has a limited life expectancy. Many of the elements of the average residential fire alarm system last for 10–15 years. Items such as smoke and CO2 detectors may require replacement as early as 10 years. To say property owners don’t always remember to have their systems checked and updated in a timely fashion would be something of an understatement. Unless triggered, they are a kind of out-of-sight-out-of-mind safety system few include on their seasonal to-do checklists.
Rather than allowing residential fire alarm mechanisms to exceed their expiration dates in PA, consider adding them to your seasonal home maintenance chores. Take an inventory of your system and the recommended replacement dates. Place the dates in an electronic calendar, and an early notification will be sent to you. While handy DIYers may be able to swap out a detector or two, you and your loved ones may be best served by having a professional make any necessary updates and test the home fire alarm system. Just because something has an end date doesn’t mean it cannot falter sooner than anticipated.
Do You Need A New or Upgraded Home Fire Alarm System?
At 2 Krew Security and Surveillance, we offer a state-of-the-art home fire alarm installation in PA that won’t fail you and your loved ones. We provide customized solutions that deliver early fire and CO2 detection, promptly alerting occupants and first responders to the threat. If you have an aging residential fire alarm system or want to know more about home and family protection, contact us today. Let’s get the process started!
