| Glad that you make a decision to use smoke | | | | depend on the type of home you live in. If your |
| detector or smoke alarm to protect you and your | | | | home is on one floor, you should fit the alarm in the |
| family. Smoke detectors are quite effective in | | | | hallway between the living and sleeping areas. If your |
| warning unexpected fire if used correctly and | | | | home has more than one floor, at least one alarm |
| properly. Do you familiar with the common sense and | | | | should be fitted on each level. In this case a |
| mount tricks, if not, and then this article is for you. | | | | combination of optical and ionization alarms, |
| Mounting a smoke detector can be tricky. It is not | | | | preferably interconnected, will give the best |
| just a matter of location, but also involves the type | | | | protection. |
| of detector, the surrounding home decors and | | | | What type of the smoke detector you get? Both |
| electronics. | | | | ionization and photoelectric detectors are effective |
| Some common senses. First of all, mount them at | | | | smoke sensors. Both types of smoke detectors |
| high places. Remember that smoke rises, it they | | | | must pass the same test to be certified as UL |
| don’t reach the alarm, you can never heard the | | | | smoke detectors. Ionization detectors respond more |
| warning. Smoke alarms are simply screwed into the | | | | quickly to flaming fires with smaller combustion |
| ceilings and should be fitted as close to the centre of | | | | particles; photoelectric detectors respond more |
| the room as possible, but at least 30 centimeters (12 | | | | quickly to smoldering fires. In either type of detector, |
| inches) away from any wall or light fitting. Second of | | | | steam or high humidity can lead to condensation on |
| all, avoid mounting smoke detectors near windows or | | | | the circuit board and sensor, causing the alarm to |
| doors, where smoke can escape before reaching the | | | | sound. Ionization detectors are less expensive than |
| detector. You should always make sure that your | | | | photoelectric detectors, but some users purposely |
| alarm is fitted in a place where it can be heard | | | | disable them because they are more likely to sound |
| throughout your home - particularly when you are | | | | an alarm from normal cooking due to their sensitivity |
| asleep. | | | | to minute smoke particles. However, ionization |
| How many room your house have? For maximum | | | | detectors have a degree of built-in security not |
| protection an alarm should be fitted in every room | | | | inherent to photoelectric detectors. |
| (except kitchen, bathroom) you should choose the | | | | What are the other appliances in your room? If you |
| type most suited to the risk in each room. For | | | | have a TV or other large electrical appliance in your |
| minimum protection the number to be fitted will | | | | bedroom, you should fit a smoke alarm there. |