Fire Alarm System - A ‘Must Have’
Everyone knows the benefits of a standard home or business alarm – when someone breaks in or disturbs a sensor the alarm sounds and the burglar runs for it. The result is a minimal loss of property, and hopefully the apprehension of the burglar (especially if there are CCTV cameras hooked up to a VCR).
However, a fire alarm is different. Sure, it goes off when it detects smoke or heat, but it can do nothing to stop the fire. It gives you an early warning – time for you and your family to reach safety, but can do nothing for your home or business. If the fire is small, or you can reach the Fire Services in time, there will probably be minimum damage. In the worst case, everything could be destroyed. And what if you are away when a fire breaks out?
There is a way to minimise the effects of fire and that is to integrate your fire / smoke alarms into your security system. By doing this, any alarm triggered by smoke or heat will cause the control panel to alert the fire department, thereby reducing the possible damage to your property. These alarms are usually mains powered, with a back up battery which takes over if the main power is cut off.
If you can’t afford a fully integrated system at least install some stand alone units. These are very reasonable in price, and can be easily fitted with no more than a couple of screws. Normally, they are battery operated but don’t worry about the batteries running out. The unit will sound an alarm, usually in the form of a high pitched beep and/or small flashing light, if the batteries are getting low (they can last for over 1 year). When this happens, replace them straight away. If you have any doubts that it is working properly there is normally a small button on the outer casing or side of the alarm you can press that will test it. Regardless, you should always test your fire alarms every six months.
Try to place them on ceilings above stairs (where smoke will rise to) and in kitchens / garages, or other places where fire might break out.
If you, or someone in your family, have hearing difficulties you might consider installing fire alarm lights too. Although they may be able to detect vibrations from the alarm siren itself, the light is added verification.
If you don’t install a smoke alarm, you are quite literally playing with fire, and I am speaking from personal experience. Years ago, very good friends of mine were killed when their house burnt down, because of a cigarette in a waste basket. Two of them died because of smoke inhalation rather than the fire itself. They had no fire alarm. Please don’t let this happen to your family.