How Many Fire Alarms Do I Need?

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

You need more than one smoke detector in your home.

How Many Fire Alarms Will I Require?

Your first line of defense against fire includes safe practices in your home. That begins with prevention through safe practices when using fire, heat and electricity. Your second line of defense, however, is the fire alarm system in your home. Yes, you need more than one smoke detector in your home in Bangor, PA. Practices have changed in recent years and, if you have been in your house awhile, you may not have enough alarms to keep up with the current safety standards. With fire prevention week coming up, take the time to ensure your family is protected by following updated recommendations for locations of fire alarms in your home.

1. Place alarms inside every bedroom.

2. Make sure to install one just outside every sleeping area.

3. Every floor of your house should have a fire alarm.

4. Place a unit near the kitchen, but at least 10 feet from the stove.

5. All fire alarms should be mounted high on walls no further than 12” from the ceiling.

How many alarms should you have? It depends on how many floors and how many bedrooms. If you have a 3-bedroom house on one story, you may only need four, but if the bedrooms are on different sides of the house that may mean a fifth fire alarm is needed.

A good tip is to put the kitchen alarm on a wall just outside the kitchen, so you aren’t becoming desensitized by too many false alarms from cooking. An early warning can mean preventing a full blaze. Cleaning up a little smoke damage is much preferable to losing your home in a fire.

Once a fire starts, you only have a few minutes to get out of a building. Well-located alarms will give you the warning you need to get your family out fast. If you need help with cleanup from a fire, smoke or soot, look for a professional recovery team that can handle all stages of fire damage recovery, from cleanup to rebuilding.