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Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
WFD issues new smoke alarm requirements
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Photo courtesy to River Valley Times
The Wilton Fire Protection District is issuing new guidelines for placement of smoke alarms in and near sleeping areas in homes. Keeping batteries current is also important.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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According to Wilton Fire Protection District (WFD) Public Education officer Jenny Williamson, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) now requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
“Some homes in Wilton may still only have a smoke alarm near sleeping areas," Williamson said. "We want all residents to understand that national codes require smoke alarms in all bedrooms, not just near them. Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire.”
According to Williamson, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. “Roughly two thirds of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes without smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms,” she said. “Smoke alarms detect and alert people to fire in its early stages, giving people the time needed to escape. That’s why it’s so important for every home to have them in all required locations - including bedrooms.”
Williamson said there are two types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. An ionization alarm is typically more responsive to a flaming fire such as a pan fire. A photoelectric alarm is typically more responsive to a smoldering fire as might occur when a lighted cigarette is dropped on a sofa. “Combination smoke alarms have ionization and photoelectric capabilities,” Williamson said. “In accordance with NFPA, the WFD recommends installing either combination alarms or both types of alarms in bedrooms and throughout the home.”
Williamson also cautions that the alarm should carry the State Fire Marshal Seal. She added that interconnected smoke alarms offer residents the best protection. “When one alarm sounds, they all do,” Williamson said. “A licensed electrician can install either hard-wired multiple-station alarms or wireless alarms, which manufacturers have more recently begun producing.”
Williamson said that this is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes where the sound from distant smoke alarms may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals. She also noted that, according to California Building Code, when an addition, alteration or repair exceeds $1000 and a permit is required - or when one or more sleeping rooms are added - smoke alarms must be hard-wired connections with battery backup in each sleeping room and in the connecting corridor.
To help residents keep smoke alarms maintained and working properly, WFD offers the following tips:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in the home knows their sound.
• If an alarm ‘chirps,’ warning the battery is low, replace the battery immediately.
• Replace all smoke alarms including those that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
Residents are also encouraged to keep at least one fire extinguisher in each story of the home and to install carbon dioxide detectors. For information on CO2 detectors, go to http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html.
For more information on the updated smoke alarm requirements, Wilton residents may contact the WFD at 687-6920 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or visit the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org/smokealarms.
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Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
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