A right smoke alarm is the best way to detect early signs of fire. It is also one of the least expensive ways that can ensure safety of your home. How to choose the right smoke alarm for your home requires you to have a fair idea of the working of a smoke alarm and types of smoke alarms available.
How to Choose the Right Smoke Alarm for Your Home
The following steps will answer the question on how to choose the right smoke alarm for your home:
Step 1: Choosing the Right Type: There are three major types of smoke alarms available - Ionization Alarms, Photoelectric Alarms and Dual-Sensor Alarms. One needs to decide on the type of smoke alarm one wants to install. The ionization alarm monitors the current and the alarm goes off as and when the current gets interrupted by smoke. In case of photoelectric alarm, beam of light is used instead of an electric current. However, the dual-sensor alarms are the most appropriate as they combine the features of ionization and photo electric alarms.
Step 2: Deciding the Number of Alarms Needed: The second step is to find out the number of alarms that are needed in your home. Studies suggest that in a multi-storey home, a fire alarm be installed on every floor and in the bedrooms.
Step 3: Deciding on the Decibel Levels: You need to check the decibel level that you need in the smoke alarm. Big residential buildings require decibel levels to be higher while in small residential apartments, low decibel levels may also be used. Depending on your choice, choose the decibel level of the smoking alarm.
Step 4: Deciding on the Batteries: There are two kinds of smoke alarms - one that is powered by the batteries and the others that operate electrically.
Step 5: Wiring, Installation and Maintenance: The final step that shall help you how to choose the right smoke alarm for your home is to see whether the new smoke alarm can be connected to the old ones already installed in your home. Also see that installation and maintenance of the new smoke alarm is easy and convenient.
Step 6: Testing the Alarm: Do test the alarm once installed.
One must be very careful while choosing a smoke alarm because a wrong selection can pose a threat to the lives of one's loved ones.
How to Choose the Right Smoke Alarm for Your Home
The following steps will answer the question on how to choose the right smoke alarm for your home:
Step 1: Choosing the Right Type: There are three major types of smoke alarms available - Ionization Alarms, Photoelectric Alarms and Dual-Sensor Alarms. One needs to decide on the type of smoke alarm one wants to install. The ionization alarm monitors the current and the alarm goes off as and when the current gets interrupted by smoke. In case of photoelectric alarm, beam of light is used instead of an electric current. However, the dual-sensor alarms are the most appropriate as they combine the features of ionization and photo electric alarms.
Step 2: Deciding the Number of Alarms Needed: The second step is to find out the number of alarms that are needed in your home. Studies suggest that in a multi-storey home, a fire alarm be installed on every floor and in the bedrooms.
Step 3: Deciding on the Decibel Levels: You need to check the decibel level that you need in the smoke alarm. Big residential buildings require decibel levels to be higher while in small residential apartments, low decibel levels may also be used. Depending on your choice, choose the decibel level of the smoking alarm.
Step 4: Deciding on the Batteries: There are two kinds of smoke alarms - one that is powered by the batteries and the others that operate electrically.
Step 5: Wiring, Installation and Maintenance: The final step that shall help you how to choose the right smoke alarm for your home is to see whether the new smoke alarm can be connected to the old ones already installed in your home. Also see that installation and maintenance of the new smoke alarm is easy and convenient.
Step 6: Testing the Alarm: Do test the alarm once installed.
One must be very careful while choosing a smoke alarm because a wrong selection can pose a threat to the lives of one's loved ones.
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