Special Focus: Safety
SMOKE DETECTORS:
A CRUCIAL NECESSITY IN EVERY HOME By Inspect.com
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s home inspectors, we check for sound construction and the overall safety of a home. Smoke alarms may seem like a small item on the checklist, but they save lives. When they malfunction or fail, lives are at risk.
Every year, approximately 2,000 people lose their lives to residential fires. It is our responsibility as home inspectors to keep our clients safe. Educating clients is part of our role. Smoke alarms can seem like an afterthought to clients. Often, they are focused on the big picture and feel pressure to buy or sell, and smoke alarms may be among the last things on their mind. But when home inspectors discover a default or malfunction in a smoke alarm, they are helping to potentially save lives. A shrill alarm can give a family the precious seconds needed to escape smoke and flames. Flames are dramatic and can travel fast. Smoke inhalation can cause permanent damage to lungs. Continued exposure can cause death.
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ASHI Reporter • OCTOBER 2020
TYPES OF SMOKE ALARMS Smoke alarms are configured in two main ways. By understanding the differences, you can help your client understand the need for additional alarms in the house and the best placement for each type of smoke alarm. The categories depend on the type of smoke detection sensor in the alarm. Each type of smoke alarm performs differently in different types of fires. Depending on the alarm type, it may use multiple sensors. Sometimes, these sensors detect heat or carbon monoxide as well as smoke. Also, both types of smoke detectors can pass the voluntary standard for smoke alarms, but they perform differently.
