A residential sprinkler system may not necessarily be required for all structures and buildings around the United States. However, there is no denying that they can be advantageous. They easily add a layer of protection to a property. Hence it would always be a great idea to have it installed.
As they say, many would covet to have this system on their properties but no one should need it.
Are you thinking of setting up a home sprinkler system in your residential property? If your answer is yes, then one of the things that you need to know is how many sprinkler heads you require to install. This might sound like a very complicated question but we will try to make it relatively straightforward in this article.
Benefits of Residential Fire Sprinkler Heads
Let us first look at the purpose of these systems. Fire alarm sprinkler systems are designed to control the initial outbreak of fire. To the end that the fire won’t get bigger and cause severe damage to your property. To clarify, residential sprinklers are not meant to put out a raging fire. Obviously they shouldn’t have to if they function accordingly.
You see, a good sprinkler system would go off as soon as its sensors felt a significant increase in temperature. Sprinkler heads are designed to go off individually when they detect temperatures of 135° Fahrenheit and beyond. After which, it will release water from its pipes.
In many cases of residential fires, one sprinkler head did the trick. Hence many residential fires are usually controlled with one operating sprinkler head.
This shouldn’t be too surprising since most residential fires originate in just one area of the home. For example, the kitchen or the garage. Most sprinklers can cover spaces that measure 12’ x 12’ but you can also find ones with extended coverage that can cover 20’ x 20’.
And since it’s recommended that sprinklers should at least be 8 feet apart, most homes only really need 1 sprinkler head per room. With this amount of coverage, if a small fire gets detected by the sprinkler system early on, (as they should), it can be put out by the sprinkler head’s water release effectively and right away.
Important Points to Keep in Mind about Residential Sprinkler System
How does a sprinkler system work?
You might be feeling a bit confused about water sprinklers and that’s alright. So, here are a few additional points that you should know to help you better understand how many sprinkler heads you need to install in your home:
It does not make all sprinkler heads go off when it detects a problem.
As mentioned earlier, sprinkler heads are activated individually and not as a collective system. Their sensors are separated so a small fire in the kitchen will not trigger the activation of all of your sprinkler heads all over your home.
So if you’re worried that the fire in the kitchen will get all of your stuff soaked, you got it wrong. The activation of sprinkler heads are localized to better respond to the home’s needs.
It’s best to get fire sprinkler heads with various heat ratings.
Different sprinkler heads have varying heat ratings so buyers have the option to match their ceiling’s maximum expected ceiling temperature.
Since different areas of your house can have different heat levels all throughout the day, it would be ideal to get sprinkler heads with different heat ratings. This will ensure that they’ll be able to respond accordingly to the heat changes in their surroundings.
It’s required that you have spare sprinkler heads on hand if you have water sprinklers installed.
According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), every property with a sprinkler system installed needs to have spare sprinkler heads on hand. As per the NFPA 13 (2010 6.2.9), there should be at least 6 spare sprinkler heads available on the premises of a property with water sprinklers.
The bigger the system is, however, the more spares are necessary. This is so damaged or malfunctioning heads can be replaced promptly.
For residential homes, the NFPA has detailed guidelines for the installation of residential fire water sprinkler systems. The NFPA 13 provides the information you need to ensure that your home’s sprinkler system is adequate and meets the minimal requirements of the agency.
What Next?
Installing a fire sprinklers system for your home may not be required where you live but it has many benefits. Not only will you be able to provide protection to your property but some cities may also award concessions and perks for those who wish to install one to their new homes.
Take it into close consideration as it can also be well worth the investment.
Fans of cop shows and those who’ve been able to pay their respects to a fallen firefighter would know that the resplendent music made by bagpipes are one of the key components of hero funerals. It’s such a common practice that some people just accept the custom with no questions asked. But when you think about it, it’s actually quite interesting why this is a common tradition.
Why do firefighter funerals have bagpipes playing in the background?
True to what lots of people assume, this is a tradition in the fire departments in the US. This custom has a lot to do with the roots of the early firefighters in the country and it goes as far back as the Great Famine.
The Great Famine Pushes Irishmen to the New World
In 1845 to 1849, the disaster known as the Great Famine took place in Ireland. Also known as the Great Hunger and the Irish Potato Famine, it was a period of disease and starvation in the region caused by a blight that led to potato crop failures for years.
This has caused Irish and Scottish people to look for other places to live. And with the New World a promising location for many, mass immigration to the United States took place.
While the immigrants escaped the famine in their homelands, they faced a different kind of challenge in the New World. With racism and discrimination going against them, jobs proved to be hard to find and secure.
It came to a point that shopkeepers even had signs posted in their windows and doors to keep the immigrants away. They used the acronym ‘NINA’ which means, ‘no Irish need apply’.
But obviously, these immigrants were no quitters. They were built to survive. These people didn’t leave a famine for nothing. They didn’t uproot themselves from everything they know just to starve halfway across the globe from where they were born. Pulling themselves by the bootstraps they took on the only jobs that were available to them.
Irish Immigrants Become Firefighters
Unwittingly, they became what we know as heroes. They were forced to take on some of the most labor-intensive and dangerous posts available – firefighting and other law enforcement jobs.
Immigrants became the best candidates for such professions because locals were not too keen on putting their lives on the line when there are other opportunities available. The extreme dangers and high death toll related to these posts kept a lot of people away.
They then became ripe for the picking for those without any other choices. And this is how lots of Irish and Scottish immigrants found themselves risking their lives putting out fires all over the new territories.
Playing Bagpipes takes root in Firefighter Funerals
And because it’s a Celtic tradition that bagpipes are played on celebrations and funerals back in their homeland, the fallen Irish and Scottish firefighters were honored in the traditional manner. By having bagpipes play in their funerals, their roots are honored and their culture celebrated even if they met their demise on foreign soil.
Some also suggest that playing bagpipes in firefighter funerals is a way for the fire department to remind everyone that Irish and Scottish immigrants are the very ones that risk and sacrifice their lives to protect the community. The loud and distinctive sounds of bagpipes are hard to miss or mistake for anything else. This made them very iconic and remarkable.
After a while, with so many immigrant officers, marshalls, and volunteers meeting their end in the job or even after retirement, bagpipes just became a staple in the funerals of the folks in the service. It eventually became a common practice to have a bagpiper to play music in honor of a fallen serviceman even if they’re not necessarily of Irish or Scottish descent.
Over time, the tradition has been carried on that bagpipes already ingrained itself in the culture of the said line of service. So much so that nowadays, it’s still being practiced and is a widely known tradition.
Wrap Up
Having bagpipes played in firefighter funerals will always be about paying tribute to the force’s roots. For the Scottish and Irish immigrants, it’s about honoring their homeland. For the later generations of firefighters, it’s about honoring the tradition of their profession.
This tradition is also going strong, thanks to the Emerald Society. This organization upholds the traditions of Irish firefighters. They also serve as the pipers at police and firefighter funerals. It’s a beautiful way to honor their lineage and keep alive the customs of this honorable vocation.
Starting a fire with a battery is one of the most basic things you should learn if you want to make sure that you can survive or just have fun. Getting a nice fire going can get you out of a lot of different kinds of trouble. Luckily, there are quite a lot of different ways how you can start one using random items.
If you are reading this to teach children, make sure you explain to them the dangers of fire!
In this article, we’ll show you how to start a fire with a battery. It might not seem like it, but with the stored power batteries contain, they can definitely light something up. Here are a few quick techniques that you can try to start a fire with batteries:
1. Using an Incandescent light bulb
Grab a 9v battery, incandescent light bulb, available or your choice of tinder, and whatever stuff that you want or can use as firewood. The 9V batteries are readily available from old items such as smoke detectors.
Break the glass of the bulb to access the tungsten filament inside. Don’t remove it from the base of the bulb.
With your tinder nearby, touch the base of the light bulb to the positive and negative terminals of the battery. Do this carefully.
Carefully touch the filament to your tinder and it should instantly catch fire.
2. Using a steel wool
Grab any kind of battery that is at least 3v in power, a steel wool, some tinder, and stuff you can set on fire.
Touch the steel wool fibers to the positive and negative terminals of the battery. This will immediately produce a flame.
Place the fiery wool steel into your tinder then stoke to your desired size.
3. Using a battery and a paper-lined foil gum wrapper
Grab a D-cell battery, some metallic gum wrapper, tinder, and stuff that you can set on fire.
Cut the gum wrapper into a relatively long strip that will reach the negative and positive terminals of the battery with a narrow center point.
Touch the wrapper’s foil side to the negative and positive terminals and hold them in place. A fire will soon start in the middle of the strip.
Transfer the foil gum wrapper to your tinder and stoke the fire to create a bigger one that you can use for whatever purpose you have in mind.
4. Using a metal staple or paperclip
Get a D-cell battery, a staple, a cutter or small knife, some tinder, and firewood or other stuff that are flammable enough for getting a fire going.
Hold your battery with the negative terminal on the side up. Grab your cutter and peel of a little of the plastic covering at the tip of the negative end. This will expose a small amount of positively charged area of the battery.
Grab the staple and touch it on the negative terminal while also touching some of the exposed part of the battery. A fire should instantaneously be created.
Grab some tinder and make the fire bigger according to your needs.
How It Works
You can easily create a fire using a battery because batteries contain a good amount of energy. Tapping into that by creating a weak circuit and not giving the energy any direction to go will result in a nice fire.
All you need is a conductor that will grab the energy from the battery and that’s pretty much it. It will set itself on fire quite easily so you just then need some tinder to create a bigger fire.
Add more flammable items to the mix and you’ll have a good size fire in no time.
Important Tips to Successfully Create a Fire Using a Battery
Aside from using the right flammable material to ignite a fire from a battery, you should also remember the following things to ensure that you’ll successfully create the fire you need:
Have some tinder or kindling nearby. If you can position the battery and the other materials you need to use to create a fire right on top of the tinder, it would prevent the loss of energy in the process and will let you make use of the fire that the battery will create right away.
Be careful in handling the battery and the other material you’re going to use to create a fire. These things can get quite hot, so to keep yourself safe, don’t directly touch items made of metal. You might end up throwing away the material you’re using to make fire. If you’re in an emergency and with scarce supplies, such a knee-jerk reaction can be costly.
Storing 9V batteries haphazardly in a drawer for example is a hazard. The positive and negative terminals can come in contact through a metallic object and start a fire unintentionally. Hence, make sure you keep your batteries safely (including the old ones).
Honeywell is a famous brand in the thermostat industry, and it stands to reason that plenty of people use their thermostat. Honeywell actually offers several different lines and models of thermostats, and they all have their own unique features.
Some of them offer basic functions, but others are more advanced. Some models have programmable functions as well as an LED screen, and they may need batteries. If they do need batteries, eventually you’ll have to replace those batteries when they run out of power.
When Should You Change Honeywell Thermostat Batteries?
You shouldn’t wait until the batteries run out of power completely before you change them with new ones. You will get a warning about low battery power if you have a thermostat with an LED screen. The low battery warning will come on, usually saying either BATT LO or Replace Battery.
If you do see this warning, it’s best if you just change the batteries right off. If not, then your next warning is a blank screen. If you still don’t replace the batteries, eventually your thermostat stops working altogether.
Maybe you’re not all that worried about changing the batteries too quickly because your thermostat only uses the batteries for backup. However, you’ll still have problems. While most of the other programmable functions will continue working, the low battery power can cause you to lose your date and time settings. That can be rather annoying.
Replacing Honeywell 8000 Series Batteries (TH8110U, TH8320U and TH8321U)
This series offers some of the best and most advanced thermostats that Honeywell has to offer. With this, you can gain control over 2 cooling systems and 3 heating systems, plus dehumidification as well. If your thermostat is directly wired to AC power, then you may need 3 AAA batteries.
Changing the batteries involves a few simple steps:
Find the cover plate and take it off.
Take out the spent batteries.
Put in 3 new AAA batteries
Place the cover plate back on.
Honeywell 6000 Series Battery Replacement
These will need AA batteries instead. The steps are also quite simple when it’s time to change batteries. Follow these steps to change the honeywell thermostat battery:
Find the battery compartment.
Press the tab to open it. This will open from the face plate to show the batteries.
Take out the spent batteries and put in new ones.
Swing the cover back into place, and it will snap shut.
Changing Honeywell Focus PRO 5000 Battery
This category covers 3 thermostat models. Whichever model you have, you’ll find the battery compartment on the side of the thermostat.
If you have the TH5110D, you’ll need AAA alkaline batteries. If you have either the TH5320U or the TH5220D, you’ll need AA batteries.
The process here is almost the same as with the 6000 series.
Open the compartment by pressing the tab first.
The tab will then swing out from the face plate.
Get out the old batteries and replace them with new batteries.
Close the compartment, snapping it down.
Honeywell 4000 Series Battery Replacement
This series includes TH4210D and the TH4110D models. These thermostats are programmable models, and built to run with cooling and heating systems with or without a heat pump.
You’ll see the REPLACE BATT icon flash on the LED screen when the battery power gets low. The good news is that you’ll still have a month or two to replace the batteries before they die out completely.
Still, you may as well replace them right away so you won’t have to keep worrying about it. Follow this guide to change the honeywell 4000 thermostat battery:
First you need to remove the thermostat from the wall. You do this by pulling at the bottom of the face plate.
Turn the thermostat over and you’ll find the AA batteries.
Take out the spent batteries and put in 2 new AA batteries.
Place the thermostat back on the wall plate. This will snap on securely if you do it right.
Change Battery for Honeywell 2000 Series
The TH2210D and the TH2110D models are part of this series. You’ll find an LED screen, along with push- button controls. These thermostats are meant for standard heating and cooling systems and heat pumps.
Normally, a thermostat in this series will be connected to 24-VAC power. The batteries will be for backup, just in case you lose power during a blizzard. However, even if you don’t use the batteries, you should still replace them regularly. Put in new ones about once a year, perhaps just before the winter or summer season. How to change honeywell thermostat battery:
First switch the system off.
Take out the cover plate from the wall plate.
When you turn the cover plate over, you’ll find the 2 spent AAA batteries.
Replace them with 2 new AAA batteries.
Snap the cover plate back to the wall plate.
Switch the system back on.
Which Batteries are the Best?
You don’t really have to worry, since most AAA and AA batteries tend to work adequately. You just need to make sure you’re putting in the right type of batteries. However, if you’re insisting on putting in the best batteries, you should pick out the following brands:
Duracell
More specifically, get the Duracell Ultra Power Alkaline Battery. This is Duracell’s longest-lasting batteries, and even high-drain electronics can last for 90 hours on so on these batteries. They’re great for thermostats. By a few in reserve, as these batteries will still be good when not in use for 10 years.
Panasonic
Try the Panasonic Evolta Alkaline Battery. Plenty of people are surprised at how long these batteries last. Panasonic claims that these will outlast other batteries in its price range by 20%, and lots of users have confirmed this. This will also last 6 years in storage.
Kirkland
Get the Kirkland Signature Alkaline Battery if you’re looking for cheap batteries that offer terrific performance. They’re great for electronics that use up a lot of battery power!
There are dozens of emergency ladders out there but which is the best non permanent fire escape ladder?
Before we dive into it, there are important aspects that you would like to consider before purchasing that emergency escape ladder.
How Do I Choose The Best Fire Escape Ladder?
Now, you need to consider these 9 factors discussed below:
How Big is the ladder when not in use? A compact and fold-able ladder will occupy less space in your home. Majority of us do not want additional items especially if they are going to occupy a lot of space in the home. A ladder that can be stored in a closet or under the bed will save a lot of home space.
Rungs – they are better off with anti slip characteristics. Remember the evacuation will happen in a hurry and you do not want someone falling from height because they slipped.
Ease of Use – how quick the ladder is to deploy matters a lot. Every second counts in an emergency situation. Delays should not emerge because the ladder you have is not deploying with ease. That could mean life or death or serious injuries. Your ladder should be easy to attach to your window frame for evacuation and roll down easily.
The Length of the Ladder – how high is the window or emergency exit to he ground or safe location? How many storeys is your building? These will determine the length of your fire escape ladder. Generally, a storey is 14 feet high.
Supported Weight – this has to do with the maximum tested weight the ladder can support. This is an important factor. Make sure the ladder can support all the members of the family at the same time.
Flame Resistant – imagine a ladder that can easily be affected by flames or high temperatures! It would definitely not make sense to have it. To be a good emergency fire escape ladder, the material used to make the ladder must be flame proof. It will most likely be used in extreme high temperatures after all.
Stabilizers – this feature helps to steady the ladder away and against the wall. A dangling ladder increases the chances of slipping and missing a step as people are evacuating.
Hook Sizes – ensure you have known the dimensions of the your wall thickness especially around the windows which you intend to use the ladder. The hooks should be able to fit in well and support the weight of a person. If the hooks do not fit properly, you may introduce other unnecessary hazards like fall from height.
If the walls are a
limitation to the type of ladder you have chosen, consider if a
strong metal bar or eye bolts can be
installed from which you can hook the ladder.
Potential Users – children below 5 years may require adults to carry them. A rapid baby evacuation device bag can be very useful. Children above 5 years may need an adult to guide their feet. Additionally, the elderly and the disabled may require more than an emergency evacuation ladder. Factor these in your fire emergency plans.
Having said that,
here is the best fire escape ladder and why we have chosen it.
What is the Best Fire Escape Ladder?
Hunting for your
best emergency ladder is no longer an uphill task as this article has
made it easier for you.
Our No. 1 choice
that is a great addition to your family fire plan with customer
rating of 4.6 ⭐️
out of 5 ⭐️
Most commercial buildings are constructed with a permanent fire escape ladder. However, in residential houses that do not have the ladder as part of the building, then a portable non permanent emergency evacuation ladder is a requisite.
Permanent Fixed Escape Ladder
Despite permanent ladders being in existence, fire could potentially cut them off from being used when they are needed most.
Portable fire escape ladders become the best alternative to the primary fixed ladders. Hence the benefits of a non fixed emergency evacuation ladder cut across for all buildings, whether they have a fixed escape ladder or not.
The
hooks of the ladder are placed on the wall hanging outside the wall
to a place of safety outside. The
material used to make them range from metal or rope with
consideration to strength and durability.
It
is recommended to have one large window where persons can escape from
in case of fire emergency situation. It
is from this window, that the ladder will be placed and every one can
run for their dear lives.
Remember to consider all members in the building as to whether they can all be able to use the portable fire escape ladder. If not, please put alternative measures or controls to address their safety. There are clear regulations on emergency escape ladder safety and fire evacuation that you can get for your State.
How Many Fire Escape Ladders Do I Need?
The National Fire
Protection Association, recommends one ladder in every occupied room
on floors above the main level. The minimum you can have if you stay
in a two storey house is one emergency escape ladder.
You have about 100
seconds to escape before the fire is all over the house. Moreover,
you are not stuck if the normal exits are blocked by fire and neither
do you have to depend or wait for fire emergency services to get to a
safe place.
However, in case you
use the emergency escape ladder in a real fire situation, it is
recommended you replace it. The heat may have compromised the
strength integrity. It may be unsafe for resuse. If you must reuse,
have it checked by a professional.
Final Verdict
The best fire escape ladder is meant to save lives. Practice regularly with members of your family or office on the the use of the ladder. You want it to be effective when the moment demands for it! Everyone should be ready. Figuring out everything in the midst of an emergency could be very costly and regrettable at the end.
Are you looking to find out what is the best air purifier for smoke under $100 without spending a fortune? Then you are in the right place.
To get started;
Fresh
air is related to a lot of health and psychological benefits. You can increase
immunity, improve blood circulation as well as relieve stress from an aura of
fresh air. Your kids and pets will also enjoy these advantages.
Why should you be concerned about smoke whether it is from the kitchen, cigarette or car garage? The simple reason is that smoke contains particulates that are harmful to your body organs which may lead to ill health eventually. The benefits of an air purifier are considerably many.
The respiratory system is the most affected.
Research has established that inhaling smoke (especially from cigarette) may lead to cancer. Smoke is an air pollutant and your respiratory system may be affected.
An air purifier works to eliminate smoke in the environment hence giving you a chance to breathe fresh air. You also get rid of odors and any harmful bacterial/microorganisms.
You may not realize it, but generally there is a better atmosphere at home especially considering non smoking members of the family who stay with smokers.
I will quickly take you through some of the best air purifier for smoke under $100. The good news is; It is possible to get a quality air purifier on a low budget – no need to break the bank!
In a hurry? check these Air Purifiers (all under $100)
Whereas, other brands may ironically be producing harmful air
pollutants – ozone, LEVOIT air purifier is 100% completely ozone free.
Air is filtered through a 3 stage process. A pre-filter stage, true HEPA filter, and a high
efficiency activated carbon filter that removes the odor, allergens, dust
particles and smoke.
The product has an
inbuilt reminder of when filter replacements are due. The filters are very
pocket friendly compared to other air purifiers in the market. Hence the long
term cost of having this air purifier is low to comparable brands. It is
recommended you change your filters after 6 months.
The product is made
in USA (California specifically) and is compliant with all the regulations of
the state of California.
Customers have been impressed by the ability of the air filter to continuously keep fresh air circulating in a timely manner. Air is circulated up to 4 times within an hour.
The product has a 2 year warranty.
This is our no 1 choice in the category of best air purifier for smoke under $100.
Veva 8000 elite pro uses activated carbon to eliminate allergens, Smoke, dust, pet dander & odor
Before the HEPA Filter, there are 4 pre cut filters that help to increase the life of the main filter. The life of the filter depends on usage and the general quality of the air where the purifier being used. The filter life may extend up to 12 months.
The 3 stage speeds gives you options to choose from depending on demand.
The design also is very flexible; by removing the base of the VEVA 8000 elite Pro series air purifier, it changes from a tower to a table top assembly.
With 2 year warranty and certified by UL as being ozone free,
this is a high quality product suitable for your home or office.
It is recommended for spaces not exceeding 325 Sq Ft.
It’s a 100% Ozone Free and also uses 3 stage filtration that
includes a true HEPA filter.
Additionally, it has a feature where you can add droplets of
your favorite fragrance.
A lock button prevents unintended operation by kids or pets.
It is best suited for rooms not exceeding 10 meters squared.
You can place it anywhere without taking a lot of space in the room. The sleek
design adds some beauty into the room as well.
Customers liked it very much for its ability to remove pet odor and eliminate smoke.
Benefits of having an Air Purifier in Your Home or Office
If you leave near areas prone to forest fires, the smoke can be overwhelming and mess even the air in the house. A good air filter can help you have some fresh air inside your house. No need to feel uncomfortable anymore.
Air full of smoke around the house could also cause false alarms from your smoke detectors. You may also experience deterioration of the detectors, reducing their useful life.
Some air purifiers would remove 99.97% allergens, dust, pollen, pet dander and mold in the air. Hence giving you multiple advantages when using an air purifier for smoke.
The video below explains a HEPA filter and why it is very useful.
Polluted
or contaminated air may cause sinus conditions, allergies and worsen the situation
for asthmatic persons.
In this post I will get to the details that will help you identify the best firefighter knives.
Thanks
to the firefighters for the great job they do.
Firefighters are the first responders in most cases of fire emergencies. Whether you are a firefighter or you just want to buy the best knife as a gift, you will find this article informative. Every 30 seconds, firefighters respond to an emergency in the United States.
What features would a firefighter be interested in a rescue knife?
You will know shortly.
Firefighters
and
other first
responders require a knife that is strong, easy to open and one that
can be firmly gripped even when wearing safety
gloves.
There should be no struggle using the knife with
gloves.
Easy Opening
In the heat of the moment, you do not want to be struggling with a fold-able knife that is stuck or requires some intervention to open. A fixed blade knife is stronger than a foldable knife.
Good Grip
You want to grasp the knife firmly and be in control of the knife. Handling ergonomics is an important feature.
Durability
After spending your money, you will be more satisfied and glad if the knife you bought is a long lasting knife. Hence, considering the quality of the knife (the blade and the handle materials) becomes important. The advice is, stay away from the cheap knives!
Size
Your knife should also fit in the pocket comfortably. The pockets would usually be having other pocket tools; hence the size of the knife matters.
Serrated Blade
You also want to consider this option as well. A serrated blade will have advantage while cutting through certain materials unlike a plain edge blade. Although it requires some skill to sharpen.
For push cuts a plain blade works better and on the other hand a serrated blade will do a better job for slice cuts especially through tough or hard materials.
Best firefighter knives will have a good blend of the above characteristics. Lets see from our selection below.
We have chosen this emergency rescue knife as our top choice because it offers extra functions for a knife. You can do a lot with this knife.
Furthermore it has awesome ratings from customers who have purchased and used it. It makes to the top of the list of best firefighter knives for various reasons.
It has both serrated
and flat edge on one blade. The handle is designed to give the user
total control of the blade while cutting.
The blade is made of
VG 10 stainless steel material and hence very strong and durable. It
also means the blade will never rust.
On the blunt side of
the blade is a feature that enables firefighters cut ropes quickly by
pressing the handle against it.
The knife is about 5
inches when folded and about 8.4 inches when opened. This makes it
easy to carry in the pocket.
Additionally, you
can use the knife to whistle and break glass quickly and safely.
Spyderco is at the top as far as knives are concerned. They are economical, carefully designed to function in the most intense rescue moment and very durable.
We love this knife
because it has lots of well constructed features (about fifteen).
You will get a
serrated blade, a screwdriver, a window or glass breaker among other
functions. All of these are made from stainless steel.
In fact, it is more of a tool than a knife as some would say. I suppose the best gift a firefighter can have among many selection of knives.
The knife is about 4.5 inches long. So confident is Victorinox that they offer a lifetime guarantee for this knife. Therefore, this knife makes you feel very confident no matter the situation you will come out.
This foldable knife has both serrated and plain edge blade. In addition, its a simple knife yet will satisfy the needs of a first responder. Also, the window punch works very well.
A safety latch
prevents you from hurting yourself by keeping the blade in position.
The blade is sharp
and strong while the handle is not flimsy at all. The knife is very
affordable.
We would not complete our review without mentioning a flat edge blade knife. And we got a small knife with great features and a classic American appeal.
You
can choose from many colours. The knife comes with two blades; clip
and spey. The folded knife is 3.5 inches long and about 6 inches when
open.
Customers like the fact that the knife is made in the USA very much.
To sum it all, best firefighter knives must be easy to use and be made of durable material. It must be able to cut through hard and soft materials quickly.
For a firefighter, any delayed second could be the line between death and life. Emergency preparedness is very important both for the firefighter and those involved.
Today I will be answering the big question: Exactly how long does a smoke detector last?
NFPA has done a study that has revealed shocking statistics!
Only a few of United States residential occupiers know the expiry date of their smoke alarms! I will show you the statistics numbers shortly.
In the first place, it is possible to have old smoke detectors. Consequently, they have increased nuisance alarms / beeping and reduced probability of detecting visible or invisible particles of fire. This is a huge risk to have at home.
Over the last few years, there has been intensified adoption of various methods to prevent fire starting and spreading at homes. Not only does it range from emphasis on construction materials but also the use of smoke alarms among others, all aimed at reducing the impact of fire hazards in residential occupancy.
Residential smoke detectors have been very instrumental over the last 40 years in saving lives. Equally important, there has been a metamorphosis of smoke alarm technology and a great improvement on accuracy, reliability and feature enrichment. No doubt about that.
Here is the real thing though. All smoke detectors have an expiry date. Do you know how old your smoke detector is?
A smoke detector that is past the recommended useful life is a big risk to you, your family and property. Because there is no guarantee that it will work. Not to mention, chances are very high that it may fail to work in the unfortunate event of a fire in the home. Obviously, this is not what we want.
Now lets get straight to the answer.
How Long are Smoke Detectors Good for ?
Most smoke detectors have a life expectancy of 5 to 10 years. In particular, the older versions stay for 5 years and in like manner the current generation of smoke alarms last up to 10 years. The NFPA strongly recommends replacement of smoke detectors must be done at least every ten years.
At this instance, if you need to know the expiry date for your smoke alarm, you will need to check the manufacturing date of your smoke alarm at the back of your detector. From there, you can calculate how long it has lasted.
For anything above 10 years the next action is immediate replacement. If you do not find the date at the back of the smoke detector, you may have to open inside and look for a sticker or code indicating the date of manufacture.
A common mistake or assumption that people make is to calculate the expiry date from the date of purchase. Important to realize, a smoke detector useful life has to be from the date it was manufactured.
Important to remember, the new generation of smoke alarms has an inbuilt signaling alarm to let you know when the expiry date is drawing near.
How Often Should Smoke Detectors Be Replaced?
The key to having working smoke alarms in your house is to schedule monthly tests and replacing batteries promptly for the battery-operated smoke detectors. Nevertheless, hard wired smoke detectors and lithium battery powered alarms do not require the annual battery replacement. They can therefore serve you for 10 years if they remain functional (all other factors held constant).
After 10 years, you must replace the units. To test your smoke detector, press the test button and the alarm should go off. In addition, annual maintenance that includes cleaning and vacuuming to remove accumulated dust and cob webs may be necessary and can improve the usefulness period of you smoke alarms.
Replace batteries every year
To clarify, the other most suitable time to replace your smoke detector is when they fail functionality test even before the ten years are over.
You can also do it in favor of additional features currently in the market such as dual sensor detectors location talking smoke detectors, cool stylish designs or wireless smoke detectors. A smoke detector with ten-year battery, should be replaced if the detector chirps with low battery alarms.
According to NFPA, more than 60 per cent of deaths caused by home fires occurred in a home with no smoke detector or a nonfunctional smoke detector. After 10 years, the sensor that should detect smoke or flame particles deteriorates with time. Consequently, current manufacturers cannot guarantee the ability of this sensor to work after ten years.
In
another study done by NFPA, it was discovered that 20 per cent of
American homes have smoke alarms older than ten years. Another 20 per
cent are not sure about the age of their smoke detectors and even
more shockingly, 90 percent did not seem to know about the 10 years
rule of thumb when it comes to replacing smoke detectors.
What Does Your State Say; How Often To Replace Smoke Detectors?
Different states have responded diversely to this information. For instance, New York state has legislated a new law that requires vendors to strictly sell smoke detectors with an expiry of 10 years and should have no need of battery replacement before cessation.
Having non-removable batteries is an advantage because it discourages tendencies of people removing them for whatever reason and failing to return them.
Surprisingly, several people have admitted to removing smoke alarm batteries to prevent nuisance alarms while cooking or to use the batteries in other items e.g. TV remotes, toys, wireless mouse. This behavior creates a dangerous environment where there is no early warning in case of fire.
From
time to time, officials from the fire departments and other
organizations such as the red cross make door to door campaigns to
spread the awareness and importance of having a working smoke
detector. Awareness campaigns and social education are seen to play a
major role towards behavior change on this important subject. More
lobbying is required to keep our citizens safe.
What is the Difference between Smoke Alarms & Detectors?
An important factor to consider is the difference between smoke alarms and smoke detectors. The requirement for each is not the same. NFPA code 72 places a requirement on smoke alarms to be replaced after ten years and not smoke detectors.
If you don’t mind you can listen to the following webinar discussing NFPA72 (residential smoke detection requirements)
The sensitivity of the sensing components deteriorates with time. A basic way to distinguish the two: smoke alarms is the complete unit including the sensing unit and the sounding unit while smoke detector only refers to the sensing unit. Conversationally, the two words are interchangeable.
Finally, please remember there are combinational smoke alarms that have an additional carbon monoxide detector. These alarms fall in a different category and hence the ten year rule does not apply here.
Check the recommended replacement time with your manufacturer. Because of the carbon monoxide sensor the time is usually shorter than ten years and may be five to seven years.
How Long Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Last?
We keep on getting this question, “ how long does a carbon monoxide detector last ”?
It would usually be indicated on the detector itself at the back cover (just like smoke detectors). Usually the time would be 5 years to 7 years.
Conclusion
All things considered, if you have checked the expiry date of your smoke detector or you have no idea when they were installed, we recommend that you replace them immediately. We have done an in-depth review of wireless smoke detectors that communicate with each other which we encourage you have a look at. Also check our article on best hard wired smoke detectors for a broad perspective in your search.
Thermostats come in handy in keeping those room temperatures regulated and comfortable. However, they can also be a hazard. Recently, there has been a recall of thermostats believed to have significant risk of starting fires to home users. Nevertheless, there are a lot of them
These control devices are used in a majority of homes. In a programmable thermostat, you can input several desired set points that function at different times of the day.
For example, you can program to have your air conditioning idle during the day when there are no occupants at home and to switch on just before you come home.The advantage is obviously savings for your power bills. It will be a similar case for commercial buildings; thermostats programmed in such a way to consider office occupancy.
Advantages of a programmable thermostat
According to Energy Saver, the U.S. Department of Energy’s consumer resource, you can save up to 10 per cent of your annual energy bill by using a programmable thermostat.
During winter, you can allow temperatures in your house to drop below the norm by 10 degrees Fahrenheit when you are not at home or while sleeping. In Summer, you would allow the temperatures in your home to be above the norm and only set comfortable temperatures when you are at home or when you really need to. A manual thermostat may not be able to do this. It will require you to set temperatures while you are there physically. A programmable thermostat can be set in such a way cooling or heating starts just before you arrive or wake up. You can have up to six different set points that can be repeated every day.
You can choose either an electromechanical thermostat or a digital programmable thermostat. Our focus here is to show what we consider the best programmable thermostat under $50.
1. TX9600TS Programmable Large Touch Screen Thermostat
✔️ Your program is maintained even in cases of power loss
Both LUX and Honeywell have over a hundred years experience designing and manufacturing thermostats. Hence a majority of thermostats featured in our best programmable thermostat under $50 are either by LUX or Honeywell.
To achieve maximum efficient use of your thermostat and avoid false temperature readings, you should carefully consider the location where you install your thermostat. It should be away from direct sunlight and other places where external influences may adversely affect room temperatures.
What would you do in case of fire at your residence or office? … panic or run away or call emergency services? A fire suppression system will give you that extra peace in your mind that the fire will not reduce to ashes what you have worked so hard to have.
Fire experts advocate for three significant things when it comes to fire safety. Prevention, Preparedness and Response. The best line of defense is prevention. However, you also need to be prepared in the event fire breaks out.
Assuming that there is fire, your smoke detector will alert you. The next thing is to follow your emergency plan ( hoping that you have developed one already and practiced). Once you are safe, you may call the emergency response services such as your fire department.
Not all fires are big. Most smoke detectors are very accurate and have practically eliminated false alarms. Hence, you may get to know of the fire immediately it starts. At this stage, most fires can be dealt with. For example by use of a fire extinguisher or fire blanket.
Fire thrives because of the presence of three things. Oxygen, fuel and source of ignition. Fire suppression works to eliminate either of the three. When you install a fire suppression system, you are taking an initiative that will preserve your property and in some circumstances life or prevent a fire situation turning worse.
Types of Fire Suppression Systems
You can classify fire suppression system on the basis of where or how they are used or the form of the substance they use.
Depending on location of use:
🔳 Kitchen fire suppression system
🔳 Restaurant fire suppression system
🔳 Car suppression system
🔳 Fire suppression systems for computer rooms or server rooms
Depending on how they are used and the substance in use:
🔲 Water or water sprinkler– the most commonly used. It could be automated or manually triggered. Automatic will be connected to your smoke detectors that will in turn activate the water sprinklers.
🔲 Inert Gases such as carbon dioxide & nitrogen – they act by excluding oxygen and the fire therefore smothers. In cases where you have electrical/electronic devices that may be destroyed by water, they are very effective.
🔲 Chemical Agent– can be either dry or wet. The most commonly used agent is potassium carbonate that is very safe.
There are a number of fire suppression system available in the market today. Our team has reviewed the best for you.
It is very effective on class A, class B & class C fires. Every home needs one.
Five years maintenance free
The ball self activates when in contact with fire within few seconds.
It is very easy to use and does not require any specialist skill to handle.
The fire extinguisher ball is non toxic hence safe and environment friendly.
It is also visible and one can see it in the buzz of an emergency situation
It weighs only 3 pounds
It can extinguish flames within an area of 100 square feet space
When tossed to a fire it gives a very audible sound that warns/alerts persons nearby.
When positioned in a fire prone area, it will detonate and suppress the fire even in the absence of a person. This is an advantage over fire extinguishers that must be operated by a human.
There is no need to worry when the fire department will arrive. Customers who have tested this fire ball say it works.
USES
It can be used at home in the garage, kitchen, boat, car, restaurant, office, industrial places and many similar places.
It is very easy to install and activates only in high temperatures. It is suitable where water is not required. The product is designed with the inspiration of the experience of a professional fire fighter.
When fire starts, you have very few seconds to escape. This device kicks in and clears the way for you. It prevents further damage to property and suppresses fire to an area of 16 inches by 16 inches.
Temperatures of 135 degrees Fahrenheit will trigger this device.
This product will help you sleep with peace of mind. They can be mounted in each room of your house.
This fire suppressant extinguishes fire by denying it oxygen. Grilling can be done more safely. An estimated 9,000 home fires are caused by grill fires. We love the smell of food on that grill but safety must take precedence. For safe grilling tips visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Seasonal-fires/Grilling.
You can also wrap it around yourself when there is a fire to protect yourself from excessive heat.
USES
It is suitable for cooking areas and meets ASTM F1989-05 Specifications. If you love lighting bonfires, this product could be useful in case something unexpected happened.
If you love racing, this product may help keep safe.
It uses a clean gas agent, halon and meets FIA approval.
The nozzles break the foam to fine particles that suppress the fire. It meets the high standards of motor sports and has been effectively tested on engine fires.
There is an exponential increase in demand for hidden cameras. This has been driven by the need for surveillance and security reasons.
Just like the use of CCTV, people have leveraged the camera technology and concealed it on devices that one cannot easily guess. The smoke detector camera is one of the best DIY surveillance device. For this reason it is extensively popular at homes and offices.
Cameras have been camouflaged in different kind of devices; from pens, wall clock, mobile phone chargers to almost any unsuspecting thing you may be looking at now! As a matter of fact, you could be in front of a hidden camera right now!
Primarily, devices intended to work normally are fitted with the hidden feature of recording videos. In most cases, hidden cameras are largely used for security surveillance, information or evidence gathering without arousing suspicion that you are doing so or spying.
To be specific, they are popularly used for watching nunny as they take care of the child when you are away, monitoring pets, office surveillance among other reasons. In addition, we like monitoring the front porch.
What Features to Look For in a Hidden Camera Smoke Detector
Video Quality
HD 1080P and degree of lens view
I recommend viewing sample videos of the hidden smoke detector you are considering before purchasing. Most manufacturers and vendors will have some previews available on their websites.
Avoid the disappointment and frustration that comes when one feels they were ripped off in a deal.
Lookout if the price is really cheap and the advertised video or picture quality is high. Quality comes at a price. The two should make sense to you.
Remote Viewing and Control
Connecting wireless through iphone or android devices. another important feature is access to wifi for connectivity. Using mobile applications you can view live occurrences from anywhere in the world and zoom in for scenes you may be interested in.
Camera Activation
Cameras that become active after motion trigger will save you unnecessary recordings and space. This means yo get to record only necessary activities. It also makes review easy.
Night Vision Capability
The ability to see videos recorded at night
Video Retrieval
The memory storage should be easy to access and retrieve information
Memory Size to accommodate video
This limits the number of hours that the camera can continuously record
Source of Power
Does it require continuous ac power, battery operated or charged via USB?
The success of a hidden camera is dependent on how best it can be disguised.
A smoke detector camera must look like a real fire and smoke alarm. Otherwise, it will disclose the identity and draw attention and someone can disable it if he becomes aware video recording is taking place.
Smoke Detector Hidden Camera with Audio and Built in WiFi
Capturing a video is great but a video with no audio leaves much to be speculated. Therefore to avoid this frustration, customers always find a combination of video and sound more appealing.
However, USA federal laws Title 18 U.S.C § 2512 prohibits audio recording surveillance on hidden devices. For this reason hidden cameras that are law compliant do not have audio recording potential. Hence this is deliberately designed with the exception of law enforcement agencies who may get smoke detector cameras with audio.
Moreover, built in WiFi capability means the user can be able to view content over the internet anywhere in the world. In this era of smart phones, this is a basic requirement for a smoke detector camera.
How to Tell if a Smoke Detector is a Hidden Camera
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. And many admit that it is not easy to differentiate between a real smoke alarm and a hidden smoke detector camera.
This is why many customers looking for surveillance or spy cameras end up choosing a smoke detector camera detector.
The use of a flash light when all lights are switched off with the idea that the camera lens will scatter or reflect back the light is a widely used technique.
Also, a careful observation of your environment may give you a hint. For example wires running all over or holes on the walls or ceiling.
If these methods do not give you the results you are looking for, consider using an app or a professional hidden camera detector. You can consider this Anti Spy Detector & Camera Finder RF Signal Detector on Amazon.
I think the product has great value because it is multifunctional. It not only detects hidden cameras but it can detect devices on a wide range of frequencies. For example, car jamming signals, eaves dropping and mobile phone bugs.
You may even consider to use it as a safety device. This is because it can also warn you when there strong electromagnetic and radio frequencies are present.
What Makes a Smoke Detector Camera the Best Spy Cam?
The number 1 reason proposed by majority of customers:
” Since they are the most common appliances in offices and at home, it is easy to conceal a camera without arousing suspicion.”
The second main reason is because of their height advantage. smoke detectors are installed high on the walls or ceilings hence giving an advantageous position for recording videos.
You can record either in high or standard resolution. In standard mode, the video will occupy 750MB per hour while in high resolution mode 2GB.
If therefore you have a 512GB micro SD memory card, you get about 680 hours in standard mode and 256 high quality video. When the memory card is full, it continues recording even though old videos are deleted to accommodate the new.
Once motion triggers the camera recording, it will stay ON for either one or three minutes. This depends on your preference which you can choose in the settings.
No digital up scaling of the video. This is a TRUE T20p HDTV camera with a viewing angle of approximately 72 degrees.
Both plug in power and battery options are available for you to decide how to use the smoke detector camera. The TV output can be connected to a display for continuous monitoring of the camera.
Pros
✔️ Great video quality
✔️ Adjustable Camera Viewing Angle
✔️ Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensor that starts recording when motion is detected
✔️ Battery can last 3 months and can be recharged
✔️ Can support 512 GB micro SD memory card. Large enough to store 300 hours of recordings.
✔️ Warranty covers 2 years and you have lifelong support. Customer service is great.
✔️ WiFi connectivity that enables live playback over the internet.
✔️ Free apps for Android, iPhones, tablets, iPads
✔️ Adjustable Camera Viewing Angle
✔️ Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensor that starts recording when motion is detected
✔️ Battery can last 3 months and can be recharged
✔️ Can support 256GB micro SD memory card. Large enough to store 300 hours of recordings on standard video quality. On high resolution the time is about 120 hrs.
✔️ Warranty covers 2 years and you have lifelong support. Customer service is great.
The format of the video recorded is very important because of storage space. Digital video recording (DVR) is a technology that enables video playback as you are recording and also retrieval on media such as SD cards, solid state drives or hard drives and memory cards.
A picture is worth a thousand words. A video recorded via a hidden smoke alarm camera is evidence enough for burglary, mistreatment, infidelity, theft, intrusion, corruption or other offenses.
Here comes Halloween celebrations on 31st October. This is a popular celebration in the western countries dedicated to remember the dead. An important aspect to consider is Halloween fire safety.
One of the many ways celebrations are done, is through lighting bonfires.
As you play those tricks and teases keep safety your no. 1 priority.
The reality is that every passing Halloween is becoming more violent and extreme than before. Children and adults alike are outdoing the norms by pushing the boundaries of sanity and safety.
I am not suggesting you dont go for your favorite Halloween costume or decorations. But be careful in your planning and actions.
Decorations are the first and easy to ignite. This is according to statistics by NFPA in their advocacy for Halloween safety.
There has been over 800 reported home structure fires due to Halloween celebrations annually!
An average of one person died each year in these celebrations of the dead. Keep decorations away from sources of heat. Remember the fire triangle.
Take care around candles. You may want to have a fire extinguisher at home that works.
There are dozens of Halloween deco, lighting and costumes that may interest you.
Have a way of detecting fire soon. It is very needful for your house to have smoke alarms and a plan for fire emergency preparedness. There is nothing to be afraid of. Not even the dead. No need to turn the lights off.
Many believe Halloween actually has both Christian & pagan roots, while others think its all satanic.
Some money will be spent, some fun will be created and some memories made. However, as we do all these let us also plan for safety.
For example, you can avoid flame candles and opt for battery operated candles or light sticks, leave all exits clear for safe evacuation or escape and test your home smoke alarm system in advance. If your children have to go to a Halloween party, please coach them on Halloween fire safety tips.
To illustrate the
ingredients that a fire needs to initiate, fire safety experts have
developed the fire triangle model. This gives handy tips for
preventing home fires and keeping you safe.
fire safety tips
Fuel,
oxygen and a source of ignition (heat) must be present for fire to
exist. Once it has started, fire will produce a flame, smoke and
heat.
Smoke is made up of
gases such as carbon
monoxide (CO), carbon
dioxide (CO2) and soot (small particles). The byproducts of fire are
useful to detect the presence of fire. Most fire detectors will use
one or a combination of heat, smoke, carbon monoxide or carbon
dioxide to sense fire.
Fire safety experts
consider the fire triangle to be very significant for two reasons:
1. Fire
Prevention
– by keeping fuel, oxygen and heat apart, fire cannot start. And that
is why we consider this as a very important fire safety tip at home.
2. Fire fighting – by removing any of the elements when the fire has started, the fire will go out. Fire fighting is done by either removing oxygen, e.g. by using some form of covering like powder or a gas that can displace oxygen like carbon dioxide.
Another great tip to remember at your finger tips is the different types of fires. Experts have further classified fire based on the fuel type:
Class
A:
Fire is based on solid materials such as paper, textiles and wood.
Class
B:
Fire is based on flammable liquids such as petrol, solvents and oil.
Class
C:
Fire is based on gases such as methane, acetylene and propane.
Electrical
fires are classified here too.
Class
D:
Fire is based on metals such as aluminum or magnesium.
Class
F:
Fire is based on high temperature fats and cooking oils.
Fuels for Class A, B
and F can easily be found at homes. Hence, great care should be taken
when storing such materials. The best location is away from sources
of ignition or flames of fire.
The classification also informs the type of fire extinguisher to be used to put out fire. Some of the fire extinguishers that are recommended for use at home can be found here. You should have one at least for your home, garage and car.
The common causes of
fire are electrical equipment, deliberate ignition, hot work
involving a naked flame, carelessly discarded smoking materials,
cooking appliances, heating appliances, unsafe use and storage of
flammable liquids and gases.
Few people have actually implemented our next home fire safety tip. Which is having a fire emergency escape plan that is known and practiced by all family members. All emergency exits must be known and tested from time to time and kept free from obstacles. You can invite your fire department to help you in this.
Remember fire cause
immense damage to homes and house contents. Items not directly
destroyed by the fire are seriously affected by smoke. If you are
insured, these losses can be recovered.
However the
consequences to people are irreversible. Most people killed are not
killed by the flames directly but by smoke or carbon monoxide
inhalation. Serious burns may also occur.
This brings us to the
last home fire safety tips: It is highly recommended that you install
smoke detectors in your home, house or premises to keep safe. The
early warning of fire makes a huge difference.
One more safety tip: Regularly test your smoke alarms and never ignore a smoke alarm going off. Always check and if you experience false alarms consistently, it is time you replaced your smoke detector. You can get further guidance here.
This is an expert’s review of the best smoke detectors technologies. I have put together an unbiased review of top notch products for you. It is fascinating how technology continues to contribute to safety. The designers and manufacturers have taken their imagination higher by the stylish appearance of the products.
A great smoke detector should be accurate, reliable, fast and maintenance free.
First Alert have designed this detector of much smaller size than normal but not compromising on performance. As the name depicts, the physical dimensions are scaled down. The product can fit nicely in your home (on the ceiling) without drawing much attention.
It uses photoelectric technology to detect fire (see more on photoelectric smoke detectors). When the alarm goes off, the sound is very audible at 85 dB and you will also see a flashing LED. The battery lasts for the full life (10 years) of the detector, hence no need to replace annually.
It is also very easy to install and mount either on a wall or on the ceiling (It is recommended a smoke detector be mounted high enough since heat rises up). We like it because it is stylish and miniature and definitely qualifies to be one of the best smoke detector of the year.
This is not just another product from Kidde. As the name suggests, these kind of smoke detectors are designed to be nuisance free with a high degree of keeping you safe all the time.
Kidde has tailor made them for different locations of your home ( the kitchen, the hallway, the bedroom, the living room) taking into account the hazards likely to occur in each of the are.
This demonstrates the care given to study and apply a solution fit for purpose. Fire experts have recommended placement of smoke detectors within the house. This is because different places have different factors to consider when designing a fire safety system.
BedroomHallwayKitchenLiving Area
WORRY-FREE BEDROOM SEALED LITHIUM BATTERY POWER SMOKE ALARM – P3010B
You can choose from up to 11 pre-programmed locations. The alarm is specially designed to wake up sleeping children and the voice feature tells the fire location and whether it is smoke or CO detected.
We like it because of the accuracy and increased level of awareness of the nature and location of the risk. Did you know that fire homes cause the death of a child daily? According to Safe Kids, 290 other children receive fire related injuries daily.
This product is designed by First Alert. Again it has great taste of style. The sensor type is photoelectric ( to detect slow smoldering fire which are most common in homes).
It is designed to have a super bright LED that will easily lead to safety when the alarm goes off. The physical dimensions are reduced from the normal size.
The 10 year battery saves you the irritating inconvenience of replacement with the costs associated. It simply looks different from common smoke detectors.
You should look out for certifications of the product. You want to be sure that the product you are purchasing meets the strictest guidelines on fire safety. There are products that fail to detect fire when required to! You don’t want this gamble in your home.
Battery Backup
Does it have battery backup so that it can monitor constantly. How durable is it? Most smoke alarms have a life span of 10 years, after which you should replace them.
Compatibility
Compatibility with other smoke alarms or home automation systems. This also includes inter connectivity with your mobile phone. You can get alerts and notifications through your cell phone in case something happens.
Sensing Technology
Sensing technology – photoelectric, ionization or split-spectrum sensor like the one used in nest smoke alarms.
Means of Alert
Means of alert – LED indicators, loud sound or talking smoke alarms.
Battery Cover/Connector
Convenience of battery connector – replacing a battery should be hassle free. Consider how long your battery will last. Some last 1 year, 5 years and there are 10 year batteries like the
Accuracy
Less nuisance smoke detector: Also, it is important you get a smoke alarm that would not wake you up in the middle of the night because of a false alarm or the battery is low. It should warn you in advance about battery running low. Hence you can plan and replace before time. Differentiating normal activities like kitchen smoke from abnormal ones is also crucial. False alarms should be mitigated.
Testing
Testing the smoke alarm should be made easy so that you can worry less knowing that your smoke detectors are still functional.
Manufacturing Date
Manufacturing Date: You may be wondering why this is so important. Well, the product comes with an expiry date. Most current smoke alarms are 10 years, after which you must replace. This date refers to the manufacturing date and not the date you install them. Hence, if you purchase a smoke alarm in 2018 that was manufactured in 2013 and assuming it has a life span of 10 years, then you will have to replace after 5 years. Be careful on the date of manufacture!
Ease of Installation
Ease of Installation – you will be happy if the mounting and placement is not so difficult. Moreover if you can maintain the beauty of your home after installation. You also want a location that is easy to reach in case you have to reset the alarm, test or replace the battery. Wiring may be required to be permanent without possibility of circuit disconnection other than switches that are meant for over load protection.
Compact Devices | Detect both smoke and CO
These devices help you detect more than one threat. Customers continue to expect more and more from smoke detectors. Some smoke detectors have a combination of two sensing detectors, electrochemical and photoelectric all in one device.
They provide an early warning of both slow burning fires and flaming fires. A good example of flaming fires is kitchen fire or paper burning. On the other hand, smoldering fires would be something like a cigarette burning the mattress or couch. Combined dual sensors gives great advantage in terms of cost, installation, maintenance and space. Consumers prefer a smoke detector that is unobtrusive.
Download a state-by-state residential smoke alarm requirements guidelines before purchasing.
You are a guy on the move. You travel a lot and spend considerable time away from your home. Yet still, you need to be safe from fire hazards and harmful carbon monoxide gases.
There are devices that could ease all the uncertainties (that at one point or another while sleeping or relaxing in your room away from home), you could be unsafe and potentially exposed to poisonous gases.
It would be very unfortunate for you to pay for a great vacation and end up a victim of CO. This is a very worrying trend nowadays. This story in CNN had 3 people die in carbon monoxide gas related circumstances in a hotel room.
It is during these cold months that people turn to heaters. Appliances that burn fuel inefficiently increase the likelihood of CO exposure. It is therefore important to carry out maintenance on your heating appliances regularly.
What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas produced when substances burn with insufficient air. It is more dangerous since it is odorless (has no smell), colorless, tasteless and hence cannot be detected by human senses, hence earning the name silent killer.
This gas has been known to cause a lot of fatalities in residential and commercial buildings. In fact, it is the leading cause of death related to accidental poisoning.
How is it Harmful?
Carbon monoxide is very harmful when inhaled because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of the body the much needed oxygen.
Large amounts of CO can overcome a person in minutes without warning—causing them to lose consciousness and suffocate eventually leading to death.
Also remember that carbon monoxide is harmful at high concentrations which are only possible indoors. Only persons with diseases such as heart issues should be worried about CO concentrations outdoors.
Motor vehicles is a significant contributor to high concentrations of carbon monoxide outdoors. Consequently, measures such as improved traffic flow and mandatory vehicle inspections have played a part in managing CO emissions.
Treatment of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Treatment of carbon monoxide involves the patient breathing lots of fresh air. On the other hand, hospital treatment may include breathing pure oxygen. In addition, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be recommended.
Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy comprises inhaling pure oxygen pressurized two to three times the norm. This is mainly to prevent damage to sensitive organs such as the brain and the heart. HBO quickly supplies oxygen to the body tissues.
The Solution is Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector wherever you go
Now assume that all those persons who lost their lives above had a portable carbon monoxide detector alongside their personal effects. I bet those persons may still be alive.
It does not occupy space in your luggage either.
A survey of many hotels indicates that a majority of them do not have carbon monoxide detectors in their rooms. Hence you cannot depend on the hotels to keep you safe.
Image by Kidde
There are high probabilities of having carbon monoxide gases in hotels according to recent research.
They can also be used at home. Some people have bought them to use them when flying.
Cases have been reported of people who got chronically ill due to the presence of undetected low concentration of carbon monoxide in their homes. You would also want to be safe during winter when the furnace is mostly in use.
Through experience, we have settled on some of the best portable carbon monoxide detectors due to their reliability and ease of use. Some of these devices have both combination of smoke and co detector giving you double protection from one device. This is great value for you.
Carbon Monoxide sensors detect concentrations of the gas in the air. Since the concentrations of CO and the exposure time are the critical determinants of the level of poisoning.
We have found these set of carbon monoxide detectors worth the attention for our readers.
#1. Kidde Battery-Operated Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector with Digital Display
It has the advantage of allowing you to see the amount of carbon monoxide detected at any given time. This is updated every 15 seconds. It is small and light enough to carry around and can be placed perfectly anywhere in your room.
Pros
✔️ Large Display enables easy reading
✔️ Peak level memory to display last highest reading
#2. First Alert Battery Powered Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Pros
✔️ Large Display enables easy reading
✔️ Peak level memory to display last highest reading
✔️ Very accurate as it uses electrochemical CO sensor
✔️ Battery operated with low battery alarm
Cons
❌ Has no stand to be placed on a table
❌ Battery door latch poorly designed hence easy to break when closing without battery
✔️ Uses the best available technology to sense CO ( electrochemical CO sensor)
✔️ It is designed with a 10 year battery to last the life span of the detector.
✔️ Display to indicate threat levels.
✔️ Audible enough to alert you of any CO hazard
✔️ Additionally measures and displays temperature.
Cons
❌ Does not display the current reading of CO levels. It displays peak CO readings.
Detect more than CO gas; Other Combustible Gases Alarm
Sometimes your interest may be more than detecting carbon monoxide gases. You may want to know when other gases are present especially if they are flammable.
Remember fire requires 3 things – oxygen, fuel and a means of ignition. Combustible gases e.g. from your cooking gas or furnace become easy fuel. Since oxygen is freely available in the atmosphere, the only required thing is a source of ignition.
This poses a dangerous situation at home. To prevent this, a combustible gas detector becomes useful. It can be a combination of both CO and other gases all in one device. We have picked 2 of the best products in Amazon and summarized for you what we liked and what we did not.
Nighthawk Plug-In Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas Alarm with Battery Backup
Pros
✔️ Detect both carbon monoxide and explosive gases.
✔️ Has a display that detects last peak measured concentrations
✔️ UL certified.
✔️ It has 3 different mounting options available to you.
✔️ These units are not natural gas detectors, they are hydrocarbon detectors.
✔️ It is 120V ac powered with the battery backup keeping the detector active in cases of power loss.
Cons
❌ It cannot distinguish which gas is being detected.
SGILE Natural Gas Detector, Combustible Gas Sniffer Propane Leak Alarm
Pros
✔️ Detects methane, natural gas, gasoline, alcohol, ketone and other flammable gases.
✔️ The sensor works in very severe conditions and accurately senses presence of these gases
✔️ The sniffer gives an audible alarm as well as LED light incase concentrations are dangerous.
✔️ The 12 inch probe is flexible and the tip can locate the source of the flammable gas accurately.
✔️ Ideal for use in places where there is excavation or removal of buried services e.g. construction projects and checking the integrity of gas appliances.
✔️ It is price friendly for what it can do.
✔️ It is easy to re-calibrate.
Cons
❌ It would not let you know the gas that has been detected. Once it beeps, you just know there is presence of a flammable gas.
Portable Methane Propane Combustible Natural Gas Leak Sniffer Detector
Pros
✔️ Detects methane, natural gas, gasoline, alcohol, ethanol, propane, gas fuel and other flammable gases.
✔️ The sniffer gives an audible alarm (85 dB) as well as LED light in case concentrations are dangerous. There are 6 LED that visually help you identify the concentrations.
✔️ The 12 inch probe is flexible and detects leaks in hard-to-reach and confined spaces
✔️ High precision sensor that will detect the slightest concentration of flammable gases and boasts of quick response time as well.
Carbon monoxide enters your blood stream via your lungs. Just the same way oxygen is absorbed. However, it attaches itself to the red blood cells and changes hemoglobin responsible for carrying oxygen to important parts of the body such as the brain and the heart.
The combination of CO and hemoglobin forms carboxyhemoglobin. This compound prevents further absorption of oxygen in the body. The brain and the heart stops due to lack of oxygen and this may lead to fatality.
Besides installing CO detectors as a preventive measure, you should have regular servicing of home appliances such as cookers, boilers, heaters, chimneys and flues. Exhaust fumes should not be left to build up in enclosed spaces such as garage.
The most vulnerable groups of people to CO poisoning are babies, pregnant women and those suffering from heart and respiratory illnesses.
When you are the kind of person that spends significant amount of time staying in hotels for business, conferences or holiday, safety should not be left behind.
Anything can happen anywhere anytime!
The aim is to keep safe at home but also in every location that you may be present. Most of the hotels, as part of the statutory requirements, have installed smoke alarms in the hotel rooms, conferences and restaurant facilities.
It is true that the number of deaths attributed to Carbon Monoxide have declined over the years. Contrary to this however, is the increase of poisoned patients being treated with hyperbaric oxygen! This is a clear indication that ventures towards CO poisoning prevention should not be relaxed.
These are the leading causes of carbon monoxide: house fire, faulty gas appliances, industrial furnaces and petrol generators. Modified exhaust systems of vehicles have been also known to leak CO inside the car.
More than 150 people die each year in the US and 50 in Canada!
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