Where To Place Smoke Detectors In Your Columbia Home
Fire is among the most catastrophic hazards homeowners face as it threatens lives and can destroy properties in a matter of minutes. Fortunately, it's simple to protect your family, but you must know where to place smoke detectors in your Columbia home. Review our recommendations and discover why monitored fire alarms are the ideal solution for your family.
Keep Your Family Shielded With These Fire Alarm Best Practices
As reported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 60 percent of fire deaths occur in homes with either an inadequate number of smoke detectors or ones that aren’t working. In addition, the likelihood of a fatality in a residential fire is decreased by 50 percent when you have functional smoke detectors. The importance of having these life-saving devices is obvious, but where should they be placed? Follow these recommendations:
- Place smoke detectors inside every bedroom and in the area outside every one.
- Smoke detectors should be installed on all stories of your residence, which includes basements.
- Mount smoke detectors at ceiling level or in elevated positions on walls.
- When installing them on walls, ensure they are between four and 12 inches away from the ceiling to circumvent dead air pockets that can stop smoke from making it to the device.
- If your ceiling slopes or peaks, place smoke detectors within three feet (horizontally) of the peak but not closer than four inches (vertically) of the peak.
- Install them a minimum of three feet away from overhead fans.
- Keep smoke detectors a minimum of 10 feet away from kitchen ranges to prevent false alarms.
- Once you get them installed, check them every month to confirm correct operation.
Residential contractors are required to install smoke detectors in all sleeping rooms, in spaces outside sleeping areas, and on all stories of homes. However, that doesn't ensure your devices are all working, and older properties may not satisfy the current standards. It’s smart to use connected smoke detectors as they will all sound if one detects fire.
Why Install Monitored Fire Alarms In Columbia?
You can increase your fire protection further with devices that connect to your home’s security system. Along with issuing an audible alert, monitored fire alarms notify you and your monitoring specialists when smoke or dangerous temperatures are sensed. This capability is a fantastic safety measure if you're not on site to hear the beeping. Here are some extra features you can find in top units:
- Cell phone alerts. You’ll receive an a real-time alert any time the monitored fire alarm is triggered.
- Swift response. While you’re moving your family members to a safe location, monitoring agents will alert emergency personnel to request help immediately.
- Better detection. The latest models do more than detect smoke. They can detect rapidly rising temperatures that may indicate a spreading fire.
- Automation assistance.When connected to your home security system, you are able to program automation to improve safety even more. For example, you can have your doors unlock instantaneously to expedite your escape.
Get An Integrated Home Security System in Columbia From Secure24 Alarm Systems
Enhance your fire safety with monitored fire alarms and a comprehensive home security system in Columbia from Secure24 Alarm Systems. You'll get advanced smoke and heat detection, innovative automation, and support 24 hours a day from professional monitoring specialists. Contact (803) 380-6011 today to custom-tailor your system.