Smoke Detectors
Did you know? Fire victim survival rates increase by forty to fifty percent in homes with operational smoke detectors.
Every home is required by New York State Fire Code to have working smoke detectors on every floor of the house and in every sleeping area. That means in each bedroom and in the hallway on every floor.
New code requirements for multiple residences require that all smoke detectors be interconnected. That way if one smoke detector activates, all the smoke detectors activate to alert all parts of the building.
All smoke detectors must be maintained; kept clean and clear of dust, the batteries have to be changed twice a year, and should be tested each month.
Smoke detectors that are more than 10 years old should be replaced.
Test the smoke detector with everyone in their bedrooms to be sure they can hear the smoke detector with the doors closed.
Installing Smoke Detectors
Install the smoke detector on the ceiling at least 12 inches from the wall or high on the wall at least 4 inches from the ceiling.
Install the smoke detector in an area where Nuisance alarms are not going to be a problem. A smoke detector that's triggered by steam because it's right outside the bathroom door, or is triggered by the heat from the oven because it's right outside the kitchen could lead you to disconnect or ignore the alarm.
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