Home Fire Protection

[Larrym]

Just because....

So there's a smoke alarm installed. Doesn't matter what kind: ion..photo-electric-dual...CO..whatever. Fact is that it will work or won't work. That's a 50/50 chance of death or survival, right?

Not really. Another annoying fact is that these devices are intended to alert the people inside so they can escape to safety. That only works if and only if they really do wake up to do this. I saw a study which revealed that people have a tendency to sleep through the alarm. That's right: not wake up no matter how many decibels the unit puts out. It usually ends up being that one occupant hears the alarm, wakes up, and then proceeds to wake up the rest who would have otherwise stayed asleep.

So add another 50/50 chance into the mix and then it becomes a one-in-four chance that if there were a fire the occupants would get outside.

Just another way of explaining how come the occupants died even though the smoke alarms were installed regardless of the type or manufacturer....

[Winterhawk]

The odds are still better than not having any kind of detection installed it seems.

[1st bike]

along with the alarm i also have CZ defending the house. and my dog~!!! and I wasn't mocking the alarms, i think they are crucial to any house, i wouldn't spend a night without them, but peoples posts were cracking me up! good stories all around.

[HobbyMan]

I believe in the necessity of smoke detectors. They do save lives. Just don't put optical smoke detectors in your garage where you might be welding. I just so happen to have set off the engine room fire alarm on a ship from welding.

[Larrym]

Not tonight, Honey. I've got a Headache.

Yup. That 1-in-4 chance is better than zero. I'm kinda biased because I was an active firefighter/officer and participated in the "cause" investigations afterwards.

The point about alarms being a good thing to have is (amazingly...) debated by those that don't want the guv'ment telling them what to do in their own homes. It's a law/code in commercial buildings and such. But what happens inside the front door is up to individuals and their choices.

Fortunately, fire departments not only have an interest in putting out active fires but doing what they can to both prevent fires and save the people. The "failure to respond" to smoke alarms is a known factor and firefighters/departments do something about it by educating those who tend to be interested and listen: children in public schools.

These kids are shown smoke detectors and what to do if it goes off. Then they go home to an environment where they are motivated to talk to their parents about it. Maybe even get the adults to make an escape plan and actually go through a drill or two where they can practice responding to the alarms. That's the ideal scenario.

Most times the adults are not interested though. Too much trouble to go through. Midnight tests of the smoke alarm and seeing just who gets up? That's viewed as fanatical and "negative." Just check the smoke detector when the urge hits you and hope that it's enough. That's the mentality out there.

So, if you've got a smoke detector it's only as good as it's ability to get you to react/respond. That ability is greatly enhanced by actually responding/drills. Middle of the night where everyone is asleep drills.

Not something that most people are willing to do.

[Montreux_Blue]

I have been inspecting large fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems for over 11 years and have seen it all, recalls, voluntary replacements, failed sensitivity.... If it's fire protection I've probably read it, tested on it, or joined it. They all false alarm from buffing the floors, spray cleaners in the air, dust, baby spiders,... Just about all brands are all basically the same, KIDDE, First Alert... I would just recommend a dual detector because it covers a broader spectrum of fires, nothing is fail safe. And replace them every 2-3 years and mount them at least 3 feet away from a vent..............

[xs11jack]

Like WinterHawk

I have fire detectors, fire extingishers, and S&W,Ruger,Browning,Mossberg, Etc.
It's called Peace of Mind.

I have thought about expirencing a fire and even if I get out safely, would my Loved Ones make it? I couldn't bear the loss!! That's why I have and maintain the above.
Jack