Fire detection in the home
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
Remember: It can take as little as 3 minutes for irretrievable damage to be caused by smoke inhalation.
Many fires happen at night while people are asleep. Smoke from a fire can put sleeping people into a deeper sleep, it may not waken them. By installing smoke alarms you will have early warning of a fire, which gives you time to act before you and your family are overcome by dangerous smoke and fumes.
In a standard two-storey house, four detectors should be installed – smoke detectors on each landing and in the living room and a heat detector in the kitchen.
On the ceiling as close to the centre of the room as possible. Make sure that you can hear the smoke alarm at night with the doors closed.
There are two types of Smoke Alarm, “Ionisation” and “Optical”.
This is the cheapest and most common type of smoke alarm. It is very sensitive to small particles of smoke from “flaming” fires like chip pans. It will detect this type of fire at the early stages and before the smoke gets too thick to escape.
Slightly more expensive type but more effective at detecting larger particles from “slow burning” fires such as smouldering foam or PVC wiring.
10-year Ionisation or Optical smoke alarms are available and are fitted with a long life lithium battery or a sealed power pack that lasts for 10 years.
Smoke alarms require very little maintenance but to ensure it operates when needed:
Optical Smoke alarms are best suited for this position as they are not so sensitive to small particles of smoke like toast cooking or rashers burning but they are ideally suited for larger particles of smoke.
A heat detector does exactly what it sounds like – it detects heat but not smoke or fumes. It is ideal for use in areas where there could be false activations due to steam, burning rashers, car fumes and so on.