Working smoke detectors are the first line of defense in the event of a fire. Fire can spread quickly and knowing your fire and smoke alarms are working properly can give you peace of mind, you and your family can escape safely and alert the fire department for help.
Smoke detectors, however, are not very good if they aren’t working properly. Do you know how to test your smoke alarm? It is important to first understand the type of smoke alarm you have in your home, the different testing methods, and when to test your smoke alarm to ensure it’s working.
Types of Fire / Smoke Alarms
A house fire is one of the most devastating – and scary – events a homeowner can endure. The good news is with proper preventative measures and fire safety, most homeowners will never have to experience a fire. Fire safety begins with professionally installed smoke alarms.
There are many fire / smoke alarm options available for residential use. A basic smoke detector can cost as little as $10, and this minimal investment can save lives and reduce the risk of large-scale structural damage to your home.
There are three types of smoke alarms on the market for home use – ionization, photoelectric, and dual sensor. All three types will alert you to a house fire, but each works in slightly different ways.
- Ionization: Ionization smoke detectors work when smoke interrupts air flow between two charged plates.
- Photoelectric: Photoelectric smoke alarms use light to help detect smoke. When smoke hits the light, it’s reflected onto the sensor and the smoke alarm is triggered.
- Dual Sensor: As the name implies, dual sensor smoke detectors combine the technology of ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors into one.
The US Fire Administration recommends putting a fire/smoke alarm inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home, and if possible, have them interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
- Put smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the best place for your alarm.
- Only qualified electricians should install hardwired smoke alarms.
Fire departments can install battery-operated smoke alarms in your home at no cost. Contact your local fire department for more information.
Testing Your Fire / Smoke Alarm
Fire / smoke alarms are only as good if they are in working condition. Whether your fire / smoke detector is battery-powered or hard-wired, you should test each one regularly to ensure each is in working condition. A good rule of thumb is to test your smoke alarm at least once a month and replace the batteries every year at daylight saving time.
There are two ways to test your smoke detector – basic testing and crisis testing.
- Basic Testing: Basic testing is when you use the manufacturer’s method. While the basic testing method may vary slightly between models, most instruction guides will direct you to press the “test” button on the device. Once the button has been pressed, it will emit a loud, piercing sound after a few seconds. If you do not hear any noise, check the batteries to make sure they are working. Change the batteries and push the test button again. If the smoke alarm is still silent, it needs to be replaced.
- Crisis Testing: Crisis testing involves using actual smoke material to test the device. It is not recommended to use actual fire for this form of testing – starting a fire in your home is not only dangerous, but the resulting smoke can also damage your smoke detector (smoke detectors should be replaced after an actual fire). Rather, use aerosol smoke. Aerosol smoke comes in a can and is sprayed from a distance at the smoke detector. After spraying the smoke, your smoke detector should go off in under 10 seconds. If the smoke alarm doesn’t trigger, replace the batteries and test again. Still no noise? It’s time to replace your smoke alarm.
Even with a solid fire prevention plan and working smoke detectors, fires can still occur. If you’ve suffered a house fire, and don’t know where to turn for help, contact the Fire and Restoration Team. While we hope you never need us, if you do, we are here for you and offer 24/7 emergency services.
Fire and Smoke Damage Emergency Restoration Services
At the Water and Fire Restoration Team, we have worked with many home and property owners who have experienced loss due to a fire. We know the experience is grueling – between the emotional and monetary loss, it can be very overwhelming and stressful.
Our team of emergency fire damage restoration specialists has the training, patience, experience, and compassion to work with home and property owners who have gone through a fire.
If you have suffered a fire at your home or business, contact our 24-hour emergency response team number 726-204-3942.
While we hope you never need to make the call, we are here to help with fire disaster restoration, water damage remediation, mold remediation, and more to restore your home to its pre-loss condition.