Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

1. Residential Smoke Alarm Installation Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center University of Kentucky College of Public Health and Kentucky Department for Public Health Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

2. About This Course • Developed by the KY Injury Prevention and Research Center using information provided by: • US Consumer Product Safety Commission • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) • Other sources Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

3. About This Course (continued) • Course Length: 2 hours • Acceptable for KFS credit when taught or overseen by a certified fire instructor • Category C – 0000 (Alarms and Comm.) • C 0100 if done as part of a Firefighter I training program • Use appropriate location code Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

4. Administrative Issues • One 10 minute break at mid-point of class • Location of important facilities: • Break room and vending machine(s) (if any) • Restrooms • Fire escape routes • Training facility rules and procedures Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

5. Course Objectives • At the end of this course you should be able to: • Describe the two primary types of smoke alarm sensors • Describe the types of power systems used for smoke alarms • Differentiate between self-contained smoke alarms and linked alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

6. Course Objectives (continued) • You should also be able to: • Identify areas where smoke alarms should and should not be installed in residences • Identify the materials needed to properly install smoke alarms and provide fire safety education to residents • Describe and/or demonstrate the alarm installation and safety education process, including related record-keeping Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

7. Module I: Smoke Alarm Technology Residential Smoke Alarm Installation Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

8. In This Module You Will Learn: • What smoke alarms are • Types of smoke alarm sensors • Types of power systems used by smoke alarms • Maintenance of smoke alarms and detectors Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

9. You Will Also Learn: • The difference between centrally controlled, independent and linked alarms • What nuisance alarms are and some steps that can be taken to avoid them • Some problems that affect smoke alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

10. Smoke Alarms Are… • Electronic devices designed to detect the presence of a fire and sound an alarm • They generally consist of: • One or more sensors • A triggering circuit • An alarm amplifier and horn • A power supply Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

11. Purpose of Smoke Alarms • Detect presence of combustion products • Provide warning to persons in the structure (and, in some cases, to remote monitoring stations) • Primary purpose of warning is to facilitate escape of persons in the structure • Secondary purpose is to initiate an early response by fire suppression resources Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

12. Smoke Alarms Are Used In… • Industrial Facilities • Storage and Shipping Facilities • Office Buildings • Retail Stores • Residential Facilities and Private Homes • In this course we will focus primarily on residential smoke alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

13. Types of Smoke Alarm Sensors • There are two primary types of smoke alarm sensors: • Ionization sensors • Photoelectric sensors • Some alarms also include other types of safety sensors, such as heat sensors, or carbon monoxide sensors Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

14. Ionization Sensors • Best at detecting fast, flaming fires like grease fires • Detect combustion particles of .01 to 3 microns (an average human hair is about 90 microns) • Most sensitive to dark or black smoke • Sensitive to steam, so they may produce false alarms if installed near kitchens or bathrooms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

15. How Ionization Sensors Work • Use a weak radiation source (Americium 241) to ionize the air in a detector chamber • The ionized air conducts an electrical current • The detector circuit senses this current; if it is present, the alarm does not sound • Smoke particles interfere with the current flow; when the current is reduced, the alarm sounds Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

16. Ionization Sensor Illustration Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

17. Photoelectric Sensors • Best at detecting slow, smoldering fires like furniture ignited by a cigarette • Detect combustion particles of .3 to 10 microns • Most sensitive to light gray smoke • Not very sensitive to steam, so they are better for use near kitchens or bathrooms • Higher power requirements than ionization Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

18. How Photoelectric Sensors Work • An LED creates a beam of infrared light in the detector chamber • The detector circuit senses this light; if it is present, the alarm does not sound • Smoke particles scatter the light, and reduce the amount that reaches the detector; when the amount of light is reduced, the alarm sounds Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

19. Photoelectric Sensor Illustration Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

20. Combination Alarms • Some alarm systems use a combination of both types of sensors • Most often found in centrally controlled systems • Occasionally found in self-contained alarms • May also include other types of sensors, such as heat, carbon monoxide, etc. • Combination alarms are more expensive and have higher power requirements Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

21. Smoke Alarm Power Sources • AC power (“hard wired”) – linked to normal AC wiring system • Most have a battery backup in case AC power fails • Batteries • 9 volt carbon zinc (“general purpose”) • 9 volt alkaline • 9 volt lithium (“ten year battery”) • Large rechargeable lead-acid or gel cells Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

22. AC Power • Most dependable (at least if backup batteries are maintained properly) • Cost-competitive with battery power for new construction but expensive to retrofit in older buildings • Normally used as the primary power source for centrally controlled alarm systems Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

23. Battery (DC) Power • Fairly dependable if batteries are checked and replaced consistently • Inexpensive and easy to install, even in older buildings • Often used as the primary power source for self-contained independent alarms • Limited power for horns and auxiliary functions Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

24. Smoke Alarm Maintenance • Smoke Alarms require regular maintenance, which includes: • Maintenance of Power Supply • Cleaning of Sensor and Air Passages • Regular Testing • Replacement of outdated Sensors or Alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

25. Power Supply Maintenance • For AC powered alarms: • Check AC power supply monthly (or more often) • Replace backup batteries as recommended by the alarm manufacturer • For battery powered alarms: • Test alarm weekly (or as directed by manufacturer) • Replace batteries: • Every six months for general purpose or alkaline batteries • When alarm signals low battery or fails test for lithium batteries Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

26. Cleaning Smoke Alarms • For a smoke alarm to work properly, air must be able to flow through the detector chamber and the chamber must be free of dust and dirt • A dirty detector chamber will: • Reduce alarm sensitivity • Increase the chance of a nuisance alarm • Clean the detector by vacuuming the exterior of the alarm with a vacuum nozzle • If this isn’t an option, dust the outside of the alarm housing Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

27. Smoke Alarm Testing • AC powered alarms should be tested monthly, or more often if the manufacturer or codes require • Battery powered alarms should be tested weekly, unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise • One of the most common reasons for failed smoke alarms is a lack of regular testing Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

28. Replacing Outdated Alarms • The recommended service life for most smoke alarms is ten years • After that point, electronic failure becomes likely • If an alarm system has separate sensors, the sensors and other manufacturer-recommended components should be replaced • If the alarm is self-contained, the entire alarm should be replaced Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

29. Types of Alarm Systems • Centrally Controlled Alarms • Separate sensors and alarm horns linked to a single central controller • Independent Alarms • Each alarm is self contained • Linked Alarms • Each alarm is self-contained, but alarms are linked so that if one sounds, all sound Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

30. Centrally Controlled Alarms • Most commonly found in: • Industrial and commercial buildings • Multi-unit residential buildings • Government and public buildings • May activate fire suppression and ventilation systems, elevator shut-off, etc. • May be combined with intrusion alarm and facility monitoring system Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

31. Sensors for Centralized System Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

32. Alarm System Control Panels Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

33. Self-Contained Alarms • Most commonly found in single-family dwellings and small apartment buildings • Seldom linked to fire suppression or external notification systems • Linked independent alarms are becoming more common in new construction Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

34. Some Self-Contained Alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

35. Nuisance Alarms • Nuisance alarms occur when the alarm sounds without a fire being present • Often called “false alarms,” but in most cases they’re not – the alarm does detect something • Usually caused by exposing the alarm to smoke, combustion products or steam • From tobacco smokers • From wood-burning stoves or fireplaces • From kitchens and bathrooms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

36. Reducing Nuisance Alarms • Locate alarms and sensors away from areas where they will be exposed to smoke, other combustion products or steam • Clean the alarm regularly • Maintain the alarm power supply (low power can sometimes trigger a true “false alarm”) • Avoid activities that trigger the alarm Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

37. Problems With Smoke Alarms • Lack of Power • Usually due to failure to test alarm and replace battery as needed • Electronic failure • Rare, but it happens – testing is important! • Deliberately disabled alarms • Usually due to nuisance alarms, but may also be done to get alarm battery Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

38. Ways to Reduce Problems • Test alarms regularly • Will identify lack of power or electronic failure • Replace batteries as needed • Place alarms properly to avoid nuisance alarms • Seal alarms to protect battery Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

39. Other Potential Improvements • Building codes requiring hard-wired (AC) alarms with battery backup • Use of long life lithium batteries (which last up to ten years) instead of general purpose or alkaline batteries • Computerized sensors that help reduce nuisance alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

40. Module II: Installing Smoke Alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

41. In This Module You Will Learn: • Provisions of NFPA 72 – the National Fire Alarm Code – that cover residential smoke alarms • Proper smoke alarm selection • Locations where you should – and should not – install residential smoke alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

42. You Will Also Learn: • Methods for mounting the alarm • The importance of the alarm instructions • The importance of fire safety education • Tips for doing an effective smoke alarm installation and fire safety education visit Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

43. NFPA 72 • National Fire Alarm Code • Developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) • Covers all types of fire alarm systems in many different types of occupancies • In this course we will focus on the standards for residential smoke alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

44. Provisions of NFPA 72 • At least one functional smoke alarm on every occupied level of the home • This includes basements • It does not include attics, cellars and other areas that are not generally occupied, but… • You can put an alarm in an area where a fire could easily start, even if the area is not usually occupied – so long as that area is not too hot, cold or dusty for the alarm Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

45. Provisions of NFPA 72 (cont.) • A smoke alarm should be installed outside each separate sleeping area • This does not mean that each bedroom must have it’s own smoke alarm – one alarm in a hallway between two adjacent bedroom doors is acceptable (for existing structures) • In new construction, alarms must be installed in every sleeping room Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

46. Provisions of NFPA 72 (cont.) • If a smoke alarm is installed in or near a kitchen the alarm must be photoelectric or have a “silence” button (“hush” button) • This is because ionization alarms are very sensitive to steam • This is also a good idea for alarms installed near bathrooms, though the code doesn’t actually require them to be photoelectric Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

47. Provisions of NFPA 72 (cont.) • All smoke alarms installed in homes should be tested regularly • Monthly, or more often if the manufacturer recommends it; many manufacturers recommend weekly tests • All residential smoke alarms should be replaced when they are ten years old Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

48. Alarm Selection • If you want to use an alarm with a long life lithium battery, you will have to use an alarm with an ionization sensor • Photoelectric alarms require more power and are not currently offered with lithium batteries Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

49. Alarm Selection (cont.) • If the power source is not a limitation, use the type of alarm most suitable for the site • Photoelectric alarms work best in or near kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and other areas where steam may be present • Both sensor types work well in other areas • Use hardwired (AC powered) linked alarms in new construction Residential Smoke Alarm Installation

50. Alarm Location • Installing smoke alarms in proper locations is important • Alarms that are installed in the wrong location may: • Not provide adequate warning of fire or smoke • Fail prematurely due to heat, cold, etc. • Produce nuisance alarms Residential Smoke Alarm Installation