Today the Provincial Fire Marshal's office reiterated the need for all Islanders to take necessary precautions to ensure their residences are protected by properly working smoke alarms, following a feature story broadcast on national TV last week.
Provincial Fire Marshal Dave Blacquiere notes, "Our office has received many inquires about smoke alarms in the past few days and I hope the following information will help answer some of the questions raised during the TV program."
Smoke alarms cannot prevent fires or the resulting injuries and deaths. They are simply early warning devices, which should be part of an overall home fire safety strategy that also includes preventing unwanted fires and developing and practising a home fire escape plan. In a fire, the time available to escape may be very limited. Blacquiere says most fatal fires happen at night, when people are sleeping; therefore, a working smoke alarm can provide an early warning that can make the difference between life and death. However, occupants in a home must know how to respond when the smoke alarm sounds. This is why pre-planning and rehearsing a fire escape plan is vital.
"It is the consumer's responsibility to assess the circumstances of their household and to select the most appropriate type of alarm. Since it is difficult to predict what type of fire (fast flaming or slow smouldering) will occur, it is difficult to recommend which type of smoke alarm is best. The safest bet is to install a combination of both types of smoke alarms, installed where each is needed most," stated Blacquiere.
The Prince Edward Island Fire Prevention Act declares fire safety issues will be addressed through the National Fire Code. This fire code requires ALL dwellings in the province to have smoke alarms.
Until smoke alarm manufacturers and certification agencies resolve some of the issues discussed in the W-FIVE broadcast, Islanders are encouraged to continue to follow fire safety practices.
SMOKE ALARM AND FIRE SAFETY FACT SHEET
FIRE SAFETY IN THE HOME INVOLVES THREE THINGS: the prevention of unwanted fires; an early warning system to alert occupants of smoke and fire danger; and a proper response to fire emergencies based on pre-planned and rehearsed fire escape plans.
SMOKE ALARM FACTS:
Smoke alarms are devices powered by battery or electrical household current and automatically sound a warning when they sense the presence of visible or invisible particles produced by combustion.
There are two types of smoke alarms on the market: ionization and photoelectric.
The ionization type of smoke alarm uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize air in the sensing chamber. As a result, the air chamber becomes conductive permitting current to flow between two charged electrodes. When smoke particles enter the chamber, the conductivity of the chamber air decreases. When this reduction in conductivity is reduced to a predetermined level, the alarm is set off.
The photoelectric type smoke alarms consist of a light emitting diode and a light sensitive sensor in the sensing chamber. The presence of suspended smoke particles in the chamber scatters the light beam. This scattered light is detected and sets off the alarm.
These two types of smoke alarms operate on different principles and may respond differently to various fire situations.
IONIZATION SMOKE DETECTORS: The ionization smoke alarm is the fastest type to respond to flaming fires (where flames are visible). They are inexpensive and most commonly sold. They have a button to allow periodic testing. Some models have a hush or temporary silence feature that allows silencing without removing the battery. The power source may be battery or household current and some models are available with a long-life battery.
PHOTOELECTRIC SMOKE DETECTORS: Photoelectric smoke detectors are the fastest type to respond to slow smoldering fires (such as those caused by a burning cigarette in a sofa or a smouldering rug). They are less prone to nuisance alarms from cooking. They have a button to allow periodic testing.
INSTALLATION, TESTING AND MAINTENANCE OF SMOKE ALARMS:
Purchase smoke alarms with markings by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), or Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated (ULI) to ensure that the alarm has been manufactured and tested to an acceptable standard.
A combination of both ionization and photoelectric type smoke alarms appear to give the best protection for all type of fires.
Install alarms according to manufacturer's recommendations. There should be at least one alarm on every level of your home, with the most essential location being on the hallway ceiling near the bedrooms.
Once installed, test your smoke alarms monthly by drifting smoke, from a just extinguished candle, past your smoke alarm. The alarm should sound within 20 seconds. Fan smoke away to silence the alarm. If the alarm does not sound, the battery may need replacement. It may require additional electrical wiring or a fuse may need replacing. If after checking these possibilities the alarm still will not function, replace the smoke alarm immediately.
Proper care and maintenance of your smoke alarms is essential. Clean them twice a year: remove and wipe cover with a damp cloth then gently vacuum the inside of the alarm.
Replace batteries once a year or as needed (a chirping sound indicates low battery status).
Never remove batteries for other uses.
Do not install rechargeable batteries in smoke alarms.
Replace smoke alarms which are 10 years or older with a new and better unit.