Smoke Detector Safety
The National Fire Alarm Code, developed by the NFPA, requires a smoke detector in each sleeping room and on each level of the house.
Because smoke rises, mount smoke alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling. Place them in an area away from the air vents. The basement ceiling near the steps to the first level is a good location. But don't install the detector at the top of the basement stairs where there is a closed door, dead air space near the door may prevent smoke from reaching the detector. There is more to checking a smoke alarm than just pushing the test button. Dust and even small insects can sometimes block a photo-eye type or ionization type of smoke detector. They should be cleaned periodically. Don't go too long before changing batteries. If they are hard wired, make sure they have a battery back up.
Smoke detectors should not be taken lightly. They could save your life.
Upgrading your Service Panel
Some insurance companies are requiring that homeowners replace their fuse boxes with circuit breaker panels in order to comply with the current fire and safety regulations. Even the old Federal Pacific Electric FPE Panel/Breaker Hazard Summary breaker panels installed in homes that were built in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s are now documented to be a fire hazard.
On the website www.afcisafety.org/afci/why-afci, they explain that "An AFCI is a product that is designed to detect a wide range of arcing electrical faults to help reduce the electrical system from being an ignition source of a fire. Conventional overcurrent protective devices do not detect low level hazardous arcing currents that have the potential to initiate electrical fires. It is well known that electrical fires do exist and take many lives and damage or destroy significant amounts of property. Electrical fires can be a silent killer occurring in areas of the home that are hidden from view and early detection. The objective is to protect the circuit in a manner that will reduce its chances of being a source of an electrical fire. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) are required by the National Electrical Code for certain electrical circuits in the home."
Call us today to have your service panel checked by one of our expert electricians.
