Fire Protection | Installing A Smoke Detector

When it comes to using smoke detectors as a means of fire protection there are some things to be aware of. Local and state laws for example here in the United States stipulate that the particular installation and quantity of smoke detectors must meet codes according to the National Fire Protection Agency’s standards.

The rules regarding the set-up of smoke detectors will differ depending on where they’re being installed. For those with concerns about how this will affect you should definitely discuss matters with officials such as fire departments and building inspectors. A lot of other areas of the developed world share these same philosophies too. Nations such as Australia and Canada mandate the installation of a smoke detector on every floor of a building. For the United States smoke detectors must be placed on every story of a building that’s used and within a close distance to every bedroom. Attics are counted as an occupied floor if it’s can be easily accessed.

More recent buildings have tougher minimum requirements to meet. Every detector must be installed to electrical wiring be connected to other detectors in the same area and have a battery backup. On top of that smoke detectors must exist either in or out of every single bedroom in the building. This is subject to local law though.

Buildings that are wired with a third connect can allow for an interconnection of 12 or more smoke detectors. Can’t go wrong with that philosophy of fire protection, right? This allows for situations in bigger buildings where if one alarm goes off the rest will follow. That is definitely an invaluable means of altering every occupant. This happens even if they are not directly near the emergency that’s occurring. A wired interconnection seems to be best for more recent buildings. As recent as a few years ago wireless development has already begun and this cuts down on costly measures such as rewiring new detection systems. Some of these systems run on Wi-Safe tech. In the event that these devices need to be moved to a new building it’s a very simple and hassle free process due to the obvious absence of wires.

In the United Kingdom, detector installation isn’t too different with the exception of installations in new builds. According to the country’s building codes a new-build piece of real state that is no higher than three levels should be set up with a Grade D, LD2 system. This applies to England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland this rule also applies. These countries are in addition very strict in that escape routes and a heat alarm in the kitchen are setup. Another important rule is that all detectors must have a battery backup in their installation. This form of fire protection is definitely an essential one and with the advancing of wireless technology it’s only gotten better. These days many buildings do not have to be torn apart to build a new and safer smoke detector system therefore proving that there’s more than one way to deliver accurate fire protection.