SMOKE DETECTOR INFORMATION

Smoke Detectors are a vital tool in the prevention of fire deaths in the home, and the loss of property.  Studies have shown that smoke detectors can cut the death rate from home fires in half.  It has also been found that 68% of flame damage is confined to the room of origin in homes that have battery powered smoke detectors.  In homes with hard-wired smoke detectors, 77% of the flame damage is confined to the room of origin.  Almost 96% of all homes in America have at least one smoke detector. 

Smoke detectors differ in how they detect smoke particles that are created by fire.  A smoke detector that uses ionization smoke detection responds better to the smaller particles that are created by a free burning fire.  When a fire smolders and creates larger smoke particles, a smoke detector that uses photoelectric smoke detection is better able to detect these larger particles.  Whether your smoke detector uses ionization or photoelectric smoke detection, it has been shown that either type of smoke detector provides an early enough warning for escape when operating correctly.

Smoke detectors also differ in the way power is provided to the unit.  Most smoke detectors are powered by a standard 9 volt battery.  These have been shown to be very reliable smoke detectors when maintained correctly.  Battery operated smoke detectors can be made inoperable due to dead batteries, by having the batteries removed due to false activations, or to use the batteries in other items such as toys.  A working battery should be in the smoke detector at all times.  The detector should be checked once a month and the battery should be changed when you change your clocks twice a year.

Smoke detectors can also be hardwired so that they receive power through your home’s electrical service.  These types of units are usually found in homes that have fire alarm systems that are installed by companies such as ADT.  Hardwired smoke detectors are also found in homes that are newly constructed or recently renovated.  Typically these types of systems are more effective since if one detector senses smoke, all of the smoke detectors will make noise when the detector goes into alarm mode.  This insures that people in all areas of the home are alerted to the danger and can safely exit the home. 

The earlier people are aware of an emergency, the more likely they are to successfully escape from a home fire.  While most homes are shown to have at least one smoke detector, one detector is not always effective when there is a fire.  Many fire service agencies and smoke detector manufacturers recommend one smoke detector on each level of the home.  A fire can start anywhere in the home so it is important to have a smoke detector on each level.

Of course the most important area for smoke detectors is the sleeping areas.  Most people think they will smell the smoke when they are sleeping, but typically this is not the case.  At a minimum one smoke detector should be in the hallway outside of the sleeping area of the home, and ideally one should be installed in each bedroom.  Special smoke detectors with flashing lights or that have a voice instead of an alarm are available for people that are hard of hearing or that are heavy sleepers.

The Willingboro Fire Department provides free smoke detectors to the residents of Willingboro.  We have a number of smoke detectors that fire department personnel will install in your home for you.  There are two ways that you can receive free smoke detectors:

1. Stop by or call Fire Headquarters at JFK and Charleston Road, (609) 871-7476 to schedule an appointment for us to install them for you.

2. Stop by our display at any township event  to schedule an appointment for us to install them for you.