The United States Fire Administration reports over one million house fires each year. Some of these include injury, and occasionally fatality. While the cause differs from incident to incident (though cooking incidents are the most commonly reported, in case you were curious), there is one important factor that plays into all of them. Preparedness.
At Jack Lehr Heating, Cooling & Electric, the only thing more important than impeccable service is your safety! Being prepared in the event of a fire is critical to your safety. Early warning has the potential to save lives and stress! Are your smoke alarms ready and equipped to sound the alarm in the event of a fire?
Need professional electrical installation for your new smoke alarm system? The experts at Jack Lehr can help! Contact us today to set your appointment.
When Should I Upgrade Smoke Alarms?
There aren’t really specific dates or time frames in mind here, but we’ll get to the specifics of that alter. Generally, according to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), your alarms should be replaced at a maximum of ten years. Anything past that, and you’re definitely playing the luck lottery.
This approximate timespan is put in place because of a few factors, including general mechanical and time wear. Additionally, dust and debris will settle into the sensors of your alarms, and can impede or completely obliterate your alarm’s ability to do its job.
Keep Track of Your Fire Alarm System
When considering your smoke alarm and fire protection system, you need to be sure you’re covering some important bases. One, regarding your actual installation:
- There should be a smoke alarm present on every floor of your home. This includes basements and attics.
- Smoke alarms should be on the inside of every room, and in each hallway for maximum coverage. Doors and rooms can block the spread of smoke, and having too few can leave you with less time in the event of a fire.
- Smoke alarms should be chosen according to acceptable audio output. If you can’t hear your alarms, or if they wouldn’t wake you in the night, you need a louder system.
Once you have your fire protection system in place, you must be sure to routinely check your system. This involves testing your alarm system regularly; monthly is ideal. This is why we say ten years is the general time frame. Alarms can simply stop working, or go bad, so keeping up with the health of your system is critical.
The test should be a simple one, as there are buttons designed to specifically perform this function when pressed. Depressing the button and holding it should produce a shrill, loud, and crisp alarm sound. If it is weak, intermittent, or doesn’t sound, then it’s time to replace your alarms.
Superior Electrical Installation in The Greater Lehigh Valley
At Jack Lehr, we carry all of the skill and knowledge needed to ensure your electrical systems and appliances are installed perfectly! When you need a new fire alarm system, we’ll be happy to provide the quick and effective care you need. Contact our team today to learn more, or to set a date for your electrical installation!
