How Fire Alarms Work
The USFA projected that there were 2,650 deaths, 13,100 injuries and a loss of $ 8,021,600,000 because of 378,200 residential fires in America in 2008. The reasons for fires are manifold but what people do not realize is that having fire alarm systems in working condition at home can prevent a lot of loss.
A sensor, a sound alarm and a circuit connecting these two parts are the main components of fire alarms that are simple electrical equipments. Smoke detectors are the most commonly used sensors in fire alarm systems and the two types of sensors available are optical detectors and ionization detectors.
An optical detector has a light source, a lens that collimates the light into a beam and a light detector like a photodiode. In the absence of smoke, the beam of light is detected by the photodiode and the alarm is off. But when smoke is present in this chamber, it diffuses the light and this triggers off the alarm.
An ionization detector contains some radioactive americium, which emits radiation that passes through an ionization chamber between two electrodes, generating a small current between the electrodes. Smoke absorbs some of the radiation from americium and disrupts the current between the electrodes as there is reduced ionization. This sets off the alarm.
Optical smoke detectors detect smoldering fires (cooler) whereas ionization detectors detect flaming (hotter) fires. Optical detectors are more expensive and ionization detectors are more prone to false alarms. But because they detect distinctly different types of fires, and we cannot predict what may cause fire at home, it is advisable to install dual sensor smoke alarms that contain both types of sensors.
Fire alarms are available to buy in several hardware, home supply, and general merchandise stores. Some fire alarms need to be hardwired whereas others are battery operated and can also be stuck on the ceiling. Fire alarms need to be put in every room or in every level of the house including the basement.
Hard-wired fire alarms are wired into the electrical circuitry of your house and installing and repairing this has to be done by a licensed electrician. Some fire departments will agree to do this for you, but make sure you call them on a non-emergency number to have them help you with this.
You can install wireless battery operated fire alarms yourself. If it is not a stick-on type alarm, you will need a screwdriver to fix it. Batteries in fire alarms need to be changed every 8-9 months. This applies to hard-wired alarms that have batteries for power back up during power failures also. Batteries in these need to be examined monthly. You will need a new fire alarm system if yours is 8-10 years old.
Scott Rodgers is an author with a lot of experience in electricians work all over the country. His exemplary advice has created business opportunities for a lot many San Antonio Electricians Need one? click here!) to Kansas City Electricians (Need one? click here!).
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