Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 31, 1995 TAG: 9510310061
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: As long as it's in good working order, your battery-powered detector is safe and legal. But your neighbor is correct about one thing: Smoke detector requirements are getting more stringent. And no wonder. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 80% of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Smoke detectors are one of the most effective ways to protect your family and property from the perils of smoke and fire. Until recently, the National Fire Alarm Code (a model for many state and municipal fire laws), required homes to have battery-powered smoke detectors outside sleeping areas, with at least one detector on each floor. In many homes, this translates to a single detector.
However, all too often, people forget to change the battery or they remove the battery to silence a nuisance alarm (for example, an alarm caused by burning toast). So in 1993, the National Fire Alarm Code was changed to require that residential smoke detectors be powered by 120-volt household current via a permanent ("hard-wired") connection.
Of course, there's always the possibility that a power outage or electrical fire could render a 120-volt smoke detector useless. Consequently, several manufacturers offer dual-power detectors. A continuous-charge backup battery keeps them in business during power failures. Dual-power detectors are likely to be required in the next revision (1996) of the National Fire Alarm Code.
Where applicable, these codes apply only to newly built houses. Nevertheless, you may want to consider upgrading your detector. The latest models have many new features - for example, a temporary "silence" button (great for the kitchen!), or a built-in egress lamp. If you're unable to convert to a 120-volt detector, these and other features are also available on battery-powered units.
One innovative smoke detector is mounted in the corner of a furnace filter. If it senses smoke in the ductwork, this unit sounds an alarm and shuts down the air handler, preventing smoke from being circulated throughout the house. While not required by code, an in-duct smoke detector can add an extra margin of safety in an emergency.
No matter what kind of smoke detector you have, don't underestimate the importance of regular maintenance. Studies show that at least one-fifth of all residential smoke detectors are not in working condition. How many times have you heard of a fire where a smoke detector was installed but not operating?
First and foremost, you should test each smoke detector in your home on a regular basis (monthly checks are recommended). Clean your smoke detector at lease twice a year with a vacuum cleaner as cobwebs and dust can degrade its sensitivity. Also, never paint any part of a smoke detector. Finally, a poorly maintained unit can be worse than no unit at all. It creates a false sense of security.
By the way, I hope you replaced the battery in your smoke detector!
To receive a list of companies that manufacture smoke detectors, please send $1.50 (please don't send cash) and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-536, Department TWN, 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278-7927. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a features summary as well as sources for system smoke and heat detectors (designed for whole-house alarm systems).
TechTalk: Photoelectric smoke detectors beam a tiny light into a chamber, where drifting smoke particles reflect the light onto a sensor. They react fastest to smoldering fires. Ionization detectors, the most common, contain a small radioactive cartridge that's sensitive to very small particles. They react to a fire in its earliest stage of development. Finally, heat detectors react to a rapid temperature increase (rate-of-rise). Although they are slow to react, they're virtually immune to false alarms. This makes them ideal for areas prone to dust or smoke (e.g., the garage, kitchen, attic or basement).
by CNB