While talking about staying safe from fire or minimising the damage caused by smoke, smoke alarms serve as an initial line of defence. When you get professional smoke alarm installation in Gold Coast, it helps to alert you with a swift indication of smoke. Thus, it potentially decreases the chances of fatalities by 50%. Here is a comprehensive guide to choosing, maintaining, and installing these safe and effective devices.
1. Research well before you pick one
In case your smoke detectors are over a decade old or if you do not have any detectors at home, it is essential to invest in new ones without much delay. However, before you buy one, it is important to research the various types of smoke alarms available. With the availability of too many brands, models and price ranges to choose from, selecting the right device with safety requirements is the best.
2. Get smoke detectors for every floor of your home
Your house’s built-in can set your requirement for smoke detectors. It is essential to install one on each level of the home. There must be at least one inside each bedroom and one outside of every resting space. While counting the number of devices you need, never fail to count the basement and attics as two different levels.
3. Swiftly install your smoke alarms in central locations
Installation of your smoke alarms helps you stay protected in the house. Put each alarm on a flat stretch of wall or ceiling. It should roughly be in the centre of the room. If you get wall-placed devices, the detectors should be about 12 inches or fewer from the ceiling.
Go through the manual carefully to get the device’s instructions when performing the installation. Pay more attention if the detectors require hardwired power. If you are not very confident about the setup process, choose a professional smoke alarm installation in Gold Coast to install the alarms at your premises.
4. Testing your smoke alarms immediately right after installation
Once your professionals have installed the smoke alarms or you have invested your ideas in the task, remember to test the detectors out with everyone in the home. Just tap on the test button on each device one after the other and ensure that every person can easily understand the sound of the alarm. This is an initial test and perhaps the best time to discuss your home evacuation plan. You can also discuss or experiment with a fire drill.
5. Conduct monthly power tests
Although you get some smart detectors that are self-testing, it is a good idea to manually test your detectors. It should be done at least once a month. Just push the smoke detector’s test button and verify whether the sensor is operational. Also, check if the alarm sounds at the optimal volume. If you have fire alarms in such places of your house that are hard to reach, do not forget to take precautions when climbing up to test them. If required, you can go for a smoke alarm repair in Gold Coast.
6. Replace the batteries once a year
In case your detector runs on batteries, you can wait until you find the batteries dead to change them out. However, it is best to set an annual battery replacement date on a special occasion. Pick a popular date so that you remember the task inevitably. At the same time, do not forget to refer to the manufacturer’s guide and follow the manual instructions when replacing the batteries of the smoke alarm.
7. Generously clean your detectors at least once a year
Dust and pollutants can compromise the fire alarm performance. It is thus best to keep your detectors clean. You can just occasionally clean it with a light dusting, taking a dry rag. It will remove any exterior dust and help perform deeper cleans annually.
Also, you can clean the device off the wall or ceiling by removing the power source. It is recommended to avoid liquid sprays or cleaners. Once the dust is cleared, you can reassemble the detector and fix it to the desired location.
Fire safety is a protective step and a homeowner’s responsibility. For keeping your house safer and for a high-quality smoke alarm installation in Gold Coast, get in touch with Safe-Tech Electrical.
Call us to get more information about our services.