03 Feb Smoke Detectors – A Life Saver

Smoke Detectors – A Life Saver

Smoke detectors provide critical early warning of a fire, giving occupants valuable time to escape before smoke, heat, and toxic gases make evacuation difficult or impossible. Proper installation, testing, maintenance, and replacement are essential for smoke detectors to provide effective protection.

Guide for Discussion

Why Smoke Detectors Are Important

Many fatal fires occur while people are sleeping. Smoke and toxic combustion gases can impair or overcome occupants before they realize a fire has started. Do not assume the smell of smoke will wake someone.

Working smoke detectors can:

• Provide early warning of developing fires.
• Give occupants additional time to evacuate.
• Alert sleeping occupants.
• Help occupants recognize a fire before escape routes become blocked.
• Provide critical warning in buildings without automatic sprinkler systems.

Smoke detectors supplement—not replace—proper fire prevention, evacuation planning, and other required fire protection systems.

Placement of Smoke Detectors

For residential occupancies, smoke alarms should generally be installed:

• Inside each sleeping room.
• Outside each separate sleeping area.
• On every level of the residence, including basements.
• In locations specified by applicable fire and building codes and manufacturer instructions.

Because smoke rises, alarms are generally installed on ceilings or high on walls in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Avoid installing alarms where normal cooking fumes, steam, excessive dust, or air movement may cause nuisance alarms or interfere with proper operation unless the device is specifically designed for that location.

Workplace Smoke Detection

Workplace fire detection requirements depend on the building, occupancy, fire protection systems, and applicable codes.

Where smoke detectors or fire alarm systems are provided:

• Employees should know what the alarm sounds like.
• Alarms must be audible or otherwise perceptible to affected employees.
• Detection and alarm equipment must remain unobstructed.
• Employees should never disable, cover, remove, or tamper with detectors.
• Damaged or malfunctioning equipment should be reported immediately.
• Inspection, testing, and maintenance should follow applicable requirements and manufacturer instructions.

When an alarm sounds, employees should follow the established emergency action and evacuation procedures.

Testing and Maintenance

A smoke detector is useful only when it functions properly.

• Test smoke alarms according to manufacturer instructions, commonly at least monthly for residential alarms.
• Never disable an alarm because of nuisance activations.
• Keep detectors free of dust, paint, and other materials that could interfere with operation.
• Replace batteries according to manufacturer instructions or whenever the low-battery warning sounds.
• For alarms using replaceable batteries, do not wait for the battery to completely fail.
• Replace the entire alarm according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Many residential smoke alarms should be replaced when they reach approximately 10 years of age.

Hardwired alarms should also be tested regularly. Being connected to building power does not eliminate the need for inspection and testing.

If a Smoke Alarm Activates

Treat every alarm seriously.

• Evacuate promptly using the established escape route.
• Alert others as necessary.
• Do not delay evacuation to investigate unless specifically assigned and trained to do so.
• Do not use elevators during a fire unless the building’s emergency procedures specifically permit their use.
• Proceed to the designated assembly location.
• Call emergency services from a safe location when required.
• Do not re-enter the building until authorized.

Emergency Evacuation Planning

Smoke detection is most effective when occupants know what to do after the alarm sounds.

At work:

• Know the evacuation routes.
• Know the designated assembly area.
• Know how to report a fire.
• Participate in required evacuation drills.
• Keep exits and escape routes unobstructed.

At home:

• Develop an escape plan with everyone in the household.
• Identify at least two ways out when practical.
• Establish an outside meeting location.
• Practice the escape plan periodically.
• Make sure children and other household members recognize the sound of the smoke alarm.

Never Disable a Smoke Detector

Do not remove batteries, disconnect power, cover detectors, or otherwise disable an alarm because it is inconvenient or produces nuisance alarms.

If an alarm repeatedly activates without an emergency:

• Determine the cause.
• Clean or relocate the alarm when appropriate and permitted.
• Replace a malfunctioning detector.
• Consider a detector better suited for the location.
• Follow manufacturer instructions.

Discussion Questions

• Where are the smoke detectors or fire alarms located in our workplace?
• Do you recognize the building’s fire alarm signal?
• What should you do when the alarm sounds?
• Where is our designated assembly area?
• When did you last test the smoke alarms in your home?
• Does everyone in your household know what to do if an alarm activates?

Remember

A smoke detector cannot protect you if it has been disabled, improperly installed, or allowed to deteriorate. Test alarms regularly, maintain them properly, and know your evacuation plan before an emergency occurs.