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The NFPA recommends having at least one fire extinguisher every 600 sq ft of living area. They should be installed on every level of the home as well as the kitchen, garage and basement. They should be stored in easy to find locations, but should be out of the reach of children. It is also smart to keep a fire extinguisher near escape routes, and away from heating elements. Don’t forget your vehicles. They should also ...

A fire extinguisher should have monthly quick checks to verify pressure and to make sure there are no problems accessing it. It also should be checked yearly by trained personnel to verify if certain basic elements of the extinguisher are still intact.

Fire extinguishers use a classification system that uses letters and numbers. The letter represents the class of fire the extinguisher can be used on. The number represents the effectiveness. For instance, if a fire extinguisher has a 1-A rating, it can control class A fires and can dispense the equivalent of 1.25 gallons of water. A 2-A rated extinguisher controls class A fires and contains the equivalent of 2.50 gallons of water.
The effectiveness of class B extinguishers are measured ...

The fire extinguisher that should be used will depend on the class of fire that needs to be extinguished. For residential fires a multipurpose ABC class fire extinguisher will usually be sufficient. If you work with hazardous materials or combustible metals you may need a special class of fire extinguisher. See the fire extinguisher information page for details.

Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers are the all around work horses of the fire extinguishing community and are a good choice as a home fire extinguisher. They have the ability to fight A, B, & C class fires by effectively smothering them, which in turn separates the oxygen and fuel. The key ingredient to these types of extinguishers is ammonium phosphate. It is a non-conductive, corrosive agent that does a good job of suppressing fire at the cost of making ...

All battery powered and AC powered smoke detectors come equipped with an easy to activate testing apparatus. In most cases it is a simple button. Press it once a month to make sure it is working. You’re done. Also test after extended periods away from your home. Most smoke detectors have filters to stop dust and debris from entering. To be safe and to cut down on false smoke detection, vacuum your smoke detector a few times per year.

Many battery powered smoke detectors will start to chirp intermittently and will marginally increase this chirping as their battery power gets too low to function. Even during this low power phase, they still have the ability to sound an alarm and detect smoke, but not for long. Do not ignore it, change the batteries immediately. Plus, most manufacturers make this chirping rather annoying to make you take action. Usually it will just take a quick 9V battery change and it ...

The best power option for a smoke detector is a hard wired or AC powered dual sensor that has a battery backup. These models can be expensive to purchase and install so if you can’t afford a smoke detector like this you’ll have to compromise.

AC or hard wired smoke detectors can be powered by the existing electrical current in your home. They don’t need batteries to function but will be limited if there is a power failure. They also can ...

Heat detectors are used for additional safety and are helpful in areas where smoke detectors and alarms normally shouldn’t be installed. They are not a substitute for smoke alarms but an additional safety measure.

There are two types of heat detectors, fixed temperature and rate of rise. Fixed temperature heat detectors activate when the heat sensor reaches a “fixed” operating temperature (usually from 120 -140 degrees F). Rate-of-Rise (ROR) heat detectors measure the marginal increase in temperature over time. If a ...

Smoke detectors should be installed on each level in your home as well as outside sleeping areas. If you live in a smaller home, one on each level will usually take care of it. Don’t forget the attic and basement. Smoke detector placement locations should also be considered.

You want to allow your smoke detector to have ample air flow so never place it in dead air space. They should be mounted to the ceiling at least 8-12 inches from any ...

Selecting a home smoke detector or smoke alarm can be difficult. Here are a few things to consider when evaluating the different types of smoke alarms on the market.

• Look for smoke detectors that have been tested and approved by a recognized independent laboratory.
• They should be listed by the laboratory and approved for sale, installation and home use.
• Make sure your smoke alarm has an audible warning indicator that notifies you of possible malfunctions or low batteries.
• Your detector should contain batteries that ...

Bottom line, smoke detectors save lives and in the event of a fire can give you the early notice necessary for a quick exit. Since nearly all fatal home fires occur at night, smoke detectors provide the necessary jolt to awaken a household and warn them of the impending danger. Toxic gases and fumes can sometimes make it almost impossible to rely on your own senses. Smoke detectors will essentially replace your senses and give you a better chance of ...