Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms play a crucial role in fire prevention by providing early warnings that can save lives and minimize property damage. These devices detect smoke and alert occupants to potential fires before they spread, giving people valuable time to evacuate or take action to extinguish small flames. 

Many fires start at night when people are asleep, making smoke alarms essential in waking residents before smoke inhalation becomes dangerous. Regular maintenance, such as testing alarms and replacing batteries, ensures alarms function properly. By installing smoke alarms in key areas of a home or building, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of fire-related injuries and fatalities. 

Smoke Alarm Statistics

  • About three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
  • 38% of home fire deaths happen when there are no smoke alarms present.
  • Working smoke alarms cut home fire fatality risks in half.

Home Safety Tips

  • Use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
  • Test smoke alarms once a month. Press and hold the test button until you hear it beep to ensure it is working properly.
  • If your smoke alarm is battery-powered, change the 9-volt battery every six months.
  • Change your smoke alarm 10 years from the manufacturing date. 
  • Close before you doze. Sleeping with your bedroom door shut can slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. 
  • Keep an eye on what you fry. Never leave cooking unattended!

Smoke Alarm Locations

Smoke, heat and other combustion products rise to the ceiling and spread horizontally. Mounting the smoke alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it closest to all points.

Mounting on the ceiling is preferred in residential construction. However, in mobile homes, wall mounting on an inside partition is preferred to avoid the thermal barrier that may form at the ceiling. When mounting a smoke alarm on a wall, if local codes allow, use an inside wall with the top edge of the smoke alarm a maximum of 12″ below the ceiling/wall intersections.

Map of recommended smoke alarm locations in a single story home.

Single Story Home

Install alarms on every level of the home, including in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. For additional protection, place a smoke alarm in the living rooms and hallways. If a hall is more than 41 feet (12.5 meters) long, install a smoke alarm at each end. 

Map showing recommended smoke alarm locations in a two story home.

Two Story Home

Install alarms on every level of the home, including the basement and in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. For additional protection, place a smoke alarm in the living room. If a hall is more than 41 feet, install a smoke alarm at each end. Install additional smoke alarms to protect any stairway as stairways act like chimneys for smoke and heat. 

Locations to Avoid

  • The garage – products of combustion are produced when you start your vehicle and may trigger your smoke alarm.
  • Near appliances or areas where normal combustion regularly occurs (kitchen appliances, near furnaces, gas hot water heaters).
  • Near areas with high humidity, like bathrooms or near dishwashers or washing machines. Install at least 3 feet away from these areas.
  • In areas of turbulent air, such as air returns or heating and cooling supply vents. Smoke alarms should not be located where airflow prevents smoke from reaching the alarms.
  • In extremely dusty, dirty or insect-infested areas. Loose particles interfere with the smoke alarm’s operation.
  • In areas where temperature may fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Closer than 12 inches from fluorescent lights, electrical noise and flickering may affect the alarm’s operation.
  • Closer than three feet from the tip of the blade of a ceiling fan.
  • On a poorly insulated ceiling or exterior wall (mount the smoke alarm on an inside wall).

Develop and Practice a Safety Plan

  • Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two escape routes from each room. Second-story windows may need a rope or chain ladder.
  • Discuss your escape plan with your family, showing everyone what to do in case of fire.
  • Determine a meet-up location outside of your home to reconnect after evacuation.
  • Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke alarm and train them to leave your home when they hear the sound. Identify children’s bedrooms with red stickers placed in the upper left corner of the windows. Stickers are available at your local fire station.
  • Practice a fire drill every six months to test your plan before an emergency. You may not be able to reach your children. It is important they know what to do!

When the Alarm Sounds

  • Leave immediately and follow your escape plan.
  • Don’t open any interior door without first feeling its surface. If it’s hot, or if you see smoke seeping through cracks, don’t open that door! Instead, use your alternate exit. If the interior door is cool, place your shoulder against it, open it slightly and be ready to slam it shut if heat and smoke rush in.
  • Stay close to the floor if the air is smoky. Breathe shallowly through a wet cloth if possible.
  • Once outside, go to your designated meeting place.
  • Call the fire department from your neighbor’s home – not your own!
  • Don’t return to your home until fire officials determine it’s safe.

Smoke Alarms Installed by OPFD

 

The Overland Park Fire Department installs battery-operated smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and specialized detectors for residents meeting certain eligibility requirements, such as income level, age or accessibility needs. If you have family members who can assist or the resources to hire someone to maintain your alarms, we encourage you to do so. If not, we’re happy to help with annual battery replacements in your smoke alarms. Please note that we do not service hard-wired smoke alarm systems.

Universal Sensing Plus Model AMI3051S Smoke Alarm

Battery Installation and Replacement

This alarm does not require battery changes. Its permanent power lithium free-sealed battery alarm will last for approximately 10 years from the date of activation.

  • The smoke alarm has a low battery indicator which is 2 chirps approximately every 60 seconds. The red LED light blinks once every two minutes.
  • Due to the loud 85 decibel alarm, stand at arm’s length away from the alarm or use ear protection when testing.
  • Weekly testing is required to ensure proper operation.
  • An irregular or low-volume sound may indicate a defective alarm, and it should be returned for service.
How to Install Your Smoke Alarm

Please note that this smoke alarm is sealed, and the cover is not removable. 

  1. Remove the mounting bracket from the back of the alarm by holding the mounting bracket and twisting the alarm in the direction indicated by the “TWIST TO REMOVE” arrow on the side of the alarm base.
  2. Attach the mounting bracket in the proper location on the wall or ceiling with the screws and anchors provided.
  3. Activate the permanent power battery feature by removing and discarding the battery pull tab. The alarm will sound one long beep to confirm it is powered up. Once activated, the alarm cannot be turned off without permanent deactivation. The alarm will remain on for the next ten years (under normal operating conditions).
  4. Press and release the Test/Silence button. The alarm will beep three times, and the red smoke LED will blink in sync with the cycle of three beeps before turning off.
  5. Push and twist the alarm clockwise onto the mounting bracket.
  6. The red LED will blink on approximately every two minutes to indicate proper operation.
  7. Refer to the Locking/Tamper feature in your manual to use the optional tamper-resistant feature.
  8. Test the alarm again after it is mounted to ensure proper operation.
Operating Your Smoke Alarm

Your smoke alarm will operate after you remove the pull-tab and the battery power is connected. In alarm mode, the horn repeats three beeps followed by a two-second pause. 

When the alarm senses smoke, it will continue to sound until the air is cleared. This alarm incorporates the NFPA-recognized horn signal for evacuation. 

Ready/Active Condition: The red LED blinks on once approximately every two minutes to indicate the alarm is properly functioning. 

Alarm Condition: The alarm emits a loud, pulsating alarm sound, and the red LED blinks in sync with the horn. 

Nuisance Alarms:  The smoke alarm is designed to minimize nuisance alarms. 

Smoking will not normally set off the alarm unless smoke is blown directly into the smoke alarm. Combustion particles from cooking may set off the alarm if the smoke alarm is located close to the kitchen cooking surface. Large quantities of combustion particles result from spills or broiling. If the smoke alarm does sound, check for fires first. If a fire is discovered, get out and call the fire department. If no fire is present, check to see if one of the reasons listed above may have caused the alarm. Use the Silence Feature if it is a nuisance alarm, or reset the alarm by pressing and holding the Test/Silence button for ten seconds. 

Testing Your Smoke Alarm

Test your smoke alarm by pressing the Test/Silence button on the smoke alarm cover until the alarm sounds, then release. If no alarm sounds, the alarm may have a power supply failure. 

Test the smoke alarm weekly to assure proper operation. 

Under normal conditions, the test button should sound the alarm immediately after it is pressed. When you press the Test/Silence button, you will experience a 10-15 second delay before the alarm sounds. This delay occurs if the Test/Silence button is pressed during a self-diagnostic period. This may also occur after the initial power-up. Retest after 10-15 seconds. 

The test button must be pushed by a person’s finger or thumb. Use of any other instrument is strictly prohibited.