Image via WikipediaBy: Tom Fred
Glad that you make a decision to use smoke detector or smoke alarm to protect you and your family. Smoke detectors are quite effective in warning unexpected fire if used correctly and properly. Do you familiar with the common sense and mount tricks, if not, and then this article is for you. Mounting a smoke detector can be tricky. It is not just a matter of location, but also involves the type of detector, the surrounding home decors and electronics.

Some common senses. First of all, mount them at high places. Remember that smoke rises, it they don’t reach the alarm, you can never heard the warning. Smoke alarms are simply screwed into the ceilings and should be fitted as close to the centre of the room as possible, but at least 30 centimeters (12 inches) away from any wall or light fitting. Second of all, avoid mounting smoke detectors near windows or doors, where smoke can escape before reaching the detector. You should always make sure that your alarm is fitted in a place where it can be heard throughout your home - particularly when you are asleep.

How many room your house have? For maximum protection an alarm should be fitted in every room (except kitchen, bathroom) you should choose the type most suited to the risk in each room. For minimum protection the number to be fitted will depend on the type of home you live in. If your home is on one floor, you should fit the alarm in the hallway between the living and sleeping areas. If your home has more than one floor, at least one alarm should be fitted on each level. In this case a combination of optical and ionization alarms, preferably interconnected, will give the best protection.

What type of the smoke detector you get? Both ionization and photoelectric detectors are effective smoke sensors. Both types of smoke detectors must pass the same test to be certified as UL smoke detectors. Ionization detectors respond more quickly to flaming fires with smaller combustion particles; photoelectric detectors respond more quickly to smoldering fires. In either type of detector, steam or high humidity can lead to condensation on the circuit board and sensor, causing the alarm to sound. Ionization detectors are less expensive than photoelectric detectors, but some users purposely disable them because they are more likely to sound an alarm from normal cooking due to their sensitivity to minute smoke particles. However, ionization detectors have a degree of built-in security not inherent to photoelectric detectors.

What are the other appliances in your room? If you have a TV or other large electrical appliance in your bedroom, you should fit a smoke alarm there.

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