As of January 1, 2020, autonomous fire detectors, or smoke detectors, must be installed in all homes.
The use of autonomous fire detectors, world experience shows, is an effective solution to protect the lives of occupants from the dangers of sudden fire, so the Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is asking residents to buy and install smoke detectors.
Some statistics
An analysis of SFRS statistics on fires in residential buildings concluded that about half of those killed in the fires died not from physical burns, but from poisoning toxic products resulting from the burning of household items and furniture in the home. In addition, most of the deaths suffocated in smoke or burned in their bedroom. The practical solution to reduce these types of deaths is equipping living quarters with technical equipment that would alert people to an outbreak of fire and thus allow them to leave the burning rooms. The most effective technical solution to protect people from fire is to install a fire autonomous smoke detector in the apartment because it responds to smoke.
What is the fire autonomous detector?
A fire autonomous detector is a small device capable of independently detecting fire factors (smoke concentration, heat) in the room and of continuously alerting the residents of the dwelling with a high-pitched, 80 dB sound signal for approximately half an hour. Fire Autonomous detector operates from Autonomous power AVOT. Most often, it is a 9V “crown” type battery that is inserted into the transducer housing. It is understood that the extinguisher is not replaced by this device. Its job is not to erase, but to warn of an outbreak of firecrackers. Further action, depending on the situation, must be decided by the residets of the dwelling themselves – to quell the flames by their own means or to immediately abandon the dwelling affected by the fire accident and call firefighters to help. In cases where there will be no one in the home, hope remains that the high-pitched signal from the fire's autonomous detector will be heard by neighbours and called by firefighters to rescue. It should be recalled that fire autonomous detectors are intended for indoor use. Set outside, they won't give you the expected effect.
Installation of autonomous fire detectors
How many fire autonomous detectors do you need in your apartment? It would be ideal, one at a time, for each room occupied by the resident of the dwelling and in which they carry out some economic work, that is to say, in places where a fire is potentially likely to originate. The most minimal requirement is one fire autonomous detector per apartment.
Installing a fire autonomous detector is very simple. This can be done by anyone who knows how to drill a few small holes in the wall or ceiling, attaching them with the help of the pegs and screws contained in the device kit, transducer housings. In the instructions for use, the manufacturer also specifies the recommended installation sites most often.
The best place for a detector would be the bedroom and hallway ceiling near the bedroom door. If the detector cannot be installed in the ceiling, it may be placed near the ceiling at the top of the wall, but the detectors may not be placed directly in the ceiling and wall cavity. This is so that in the event of a fire accident it is possible to wake up the sleeping resident of the dwelling. Detectors located in other rooms, on the other hand, will be great for alerting householders to a fire in a particular room.
A smoke detector placed on a cabinet or shelf will perform its functions to a limited extent. Because the smoke rises up, in the direction of the ceiling, concentrates there and only then starts filling the space downward. So in this case, the detector will feel smoke some time later than at the ceiling. But as it is known, the fire spreads very quickly, and often even this brief delay can be critical to the ability of residents to extinguish the flames or to be able to leave the burning spaces.
Detectors to be installed in single-seated residential houses and separately located farm buildings shall ensure that their fire alarm is audible in those premises where residents of the house are predominantly staying or sleeping. With simple, store-bought detectors alone, this task isn't solved. The best solution would be to install an automatic fire detection and alarm system. Its structural feature is that when a single detector is handled, the signal is automatically transmitted to the console and the signal then activates the alarms installed with all detectors m.. For the installation of such systems, the SFRS recommends that specialist fire protection equipment firms be contacted.
Maintenance of autonomous fire detectors
The installed transducer is easy to maintain. It is only necessary to replace the power supply element in a timely manner, to check the operation of the detectors and to wipe dust in accordance with the procedures specified in the instructions for use. These jobs can be done successfully by anyone. New battery serves about 2 years. The transducer housing contains automatic control of the battery power, which will alert you in good time to the need to replace the battery. From time to time, the transducer should be checked. This shall be done in accordance with the procedures laid down in the instructions. Most often, when you press the control (test) button, you must hear a high-pitched sound. If the alarm sounds, the transducer is operational. It is recommended that this check be carried out monthly. However, a cigarette or any other smoke source should not be used for inspection because a capable detector will continue to give a continuous high-pitched sound signal for approximately 30 minutes when smoke is detected - that is to say, the warning signal time provided for in its design. If this happens, the transducer can be “silenced” by briefly disconnecting the battery.
Optional nuances of fire Autonomous detectors
Detectors for purchase in electrical goods and specialist fire protection equipment, equipment stores. The detectors on offer, despite all being able to warn of an outbreak of fire, may however differ with the range of additional features built-in, as well as with CEN. Vendors of these devices will provide explanations about the importance of one function or another for easier use of the device. However, if necessary, advice on smoke detectors and their installation issues can be obtained by the SFRS. Detector prices depend on the manufacturer's and detector's built-in additional features.
When purchasing a detector of any manufacturer or model, care should be taken in particular to ensure that its housing bears the CE marking and information on the conformity of the detector with European Standard EN 14604. Such designation shall confirm the conformity of the detector in question with the requirements laid down in the European Union for devices of this type. You must make sure that the text in the device user guide is in the official language. A photo-electric transducer model with a built-in light bulb that switches on at the same time as the audible audible warning signal is recommended from additional functionalities useful in practice. This will be useful for ensuring even low visibility at night in the event of damage to the electrical lighting of the dwelling as a result of ignition.
Automatic fire detection and alarm system
The automatic fire detection and alarm system is currently the most complete form of housing protection, with technical means, communication lines, etc. installed in the building. Mediation and assistance of personnel on duty and servicing of systems shall ensure the rapid detection of fire, alarm and call of fire rescuers to the place of origin of the detected fire accident, whether or not the occupant is present in the building. Unfortunately, the installation and operation of such a system is relatively expensive, but if the means allow, it is recommended that it be installed.
Prepared by: Fire Safety Oversight Division