T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
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299.1 | Try HOME_WORK | BANZAI::WASSERMAN | Deb Wasserman, DTN 264-1863 | Thu Aug 30 1990 16:19 | 3 |
| YOu should probably ask this in HOME_WORK. (sorry, not sure of the
node).
|
299.2 | Ours don't work, either | CHCLAT::HAGEN | Please send truffles! | Thu Aug 30 1990 16:36 | 17 |
299.3 | | NAVIER::SAISI | | Thu Aug 30 1990 17:03 | 8 |
| From what I am told the smoke detector has a little radioactive
element in it that gives of radioactive particles which are detected
by a receptor nearby. If there is smoke in the house, the smoke
particles block the radioactive particles, and when the detector
doesn't sense them it sets off the alarm. Dust can cause the same
effect so try blowing on the fire alarm. Ours was going off a couple
of times a day and this seemed to stop it.
Linda
|
299.4 | Check building code. | STAR::MACKAY | C'est la vie! | Thu Aug 30 1990 17:09 | 11 |
|
About battery operated alarms - I was told by the NH building inspector
that battery operated ones are no up to code in rental properties.
(ie. if an new alarm is to be installed, it has to be hooked up to the
house current). I would try to get the build-in ones fixed instead of
replacing them with battery operated ones and check the local
building code if you really want to replace them.
We have had build-in alarms in 2 houses and they work fine.
Eva.
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299.5 | Also check insurance policy | STAR::MACKAY | C'est la vie! | Thu Aug 30 1990 17:13 | 8 |
|
Oh and also check with your insurance company to see if replacing
with battery operated alarm would affect your policy.
Eva.
|
299.6 | | NOTIME::SACKS | Gerald Sacks ZKO2-3/N30 DTN:381-2085 | Thu Aug 30 1990 17:43 | 2 |
| Discussed in great detail in SERENA::HOME_WORK (KP7 or SELECT to add to
your notebook). Look at note 1111 for a directory.
|
299.7 | Could be bad detectors... | HDLITE::FLEURY | | Thu Aug 30 1990 18:25 | 17 |
| RE: .0
There were a number of detectors that were removed from the shelves due
to problems with them. Send me mail with the type of detector that you
have as well as the location(s) of them.
One of the mosst common problems with detectors going off too often is
the detector in the attic space being a SMOKE detector rather than a
heat detector. Since most attics have exposed insulation, small glass
particles are constantly moving around. This can cause the detector to
go off. A solution to this (might be in the code by now) is to replace
the smoke detector in the attic with a heat detector. The local fire
inspector can tell you what the temp requirements are for this. The
heat type looks like the smoke detector and connects to the same system
with an adapter.
Dan
|
299.8 | | TOOK::C_SANDSTROM | born of the stars | Thu Aug 30 1990 20:34 | 13 |
| My husband went through the Mass State Fire Academy and works on our
local department. His thoughts on this are "I hope those folks that
have the built-in models are sure they have battery backup too".
Electrical problems cause a great many house fires - if there's an
interruption in the service how can the detector let you know that
there's a problem? It's not too hard to remember to check/change the
batteries - try to do it when you do other "out of the ordinary" things
such as pulling out the holiday decorations (put a note in the box to
remind you if needed). This doesn't mean that the built-in ones are
bad or ineffective, but you may want to think about some contingencies
as well. When we were in an apartment with the built-in kind, we put
up the battery kind just to be sure. Our house has the battery models.
Conni
|
299.9 | Code requires builtin, but not battery backup. | HDLITE::FLEURY | | Fri Aug 31 1990 12:03 | 6 |
| RE: .-1
Built-in versions of smoke detectors are REQUIRED for new construction
by code. Battery backup while not required is usually recommended.
Dan
|
299.10 | Back-up batteries in the hardwired ones | MAJORS::MANDALINCI | | Fri Aug 31 1990 13:10 | 15 |
| Our house (built almost 3 years ago) has built-in detectors. I also
think the detectors themselves have a back-up battery in them. There is
no way to test the battery except by cutting the power first. You just
have to remember to change the batteries periodically.
Luckily, my son's daycare goes over the rules on what to do if the
alarm goes off there. I discovered it one day when the detector near the
kitchen went off and he started saying "when the bells go off, line up
at the door and we will all walk out side together. Everyone must wait
by the fence". I think they have them trained pretty well. We also talk
about the fire detectors since he's aware that they go off (the heat
sensitive one is always going off when I broil something) and he knows
what to do pretty much what to do.
Andrea
|
299.11 | CHANGING BATTERIES | GENRAL::MARZULLA | | Tue Sep 04 1990 18:26 | 6 |
| I have a "helpful hint from Heloise" as to changing alarm batteries -
change them on your birthday and wish yourself a happy birthday!
Lorrie
|
299.12 | 5 units for 6 rms & basement | DEMON::CYCLPS::CHALMERS | Ski or die... | Tue Sep 04 1990 19:23 | 14 |
| When we bought our 7yr-old house (in Mass), one of the requirements for
the mortgage was that the house be equipped with both electric and
battery-powered smoke detectors. In fact, the local fire department had
to come in and verify/test them, and signed a statement to that effect.
I guess I don't trust the electric one, since smoke from the oven has
often set off the battery-powered model yet not set off the electric
one. To get some piece of mind, I've installed a battery model near the
electric one, as well as an additional battery model elsewhere in the
house (Total: 4 battery models and 1 electric in an average-sized split
ranch). IMO, at $10-$20 per unit, it's a small price to pay for the extra
peace of mind.
Freddie
|
299.13 | Might get help from Fire Notes | NRADM::TRIPPL | | Fri Sep 14 1990 19:05 | 32 |
| I have posted a note in TOOK::FIRE_RESCUE_EMS asking for the opinion of
the firefighter types to respond to this. I don't mind handling
stretchers and medical things, but as far as fire things, that's what I
have a Firefighter/husband for. (I probably couldn't handle a fire
extinguisher if I had to!) My (personal not hubby's) opinion is that a
battery backup detector can't hurt anything. They are cheap enough.
We too have hardwired detectors, the house is 15 years old, and have
filled the house up with both cooking smoke and wood stove smoke in the
cellar, but never had the alarm go off except when we found the "test"
button.(It IS an awful "Claxton" noise, like the ones you hear in the
facilities that sound like a fog horn) It swear it would vibrate me
out of bed if it ever went off!
As one of the notes said, there is a MA state law which does require you
to have at least one working smoke detector, any kind, prior to passing
papers on a house. A humourous side note came last year when my inlaws
sold an old family house (inherited) to a construction company, who planned
to demolish it and make a parking lot. (The bulldozer was already parked
in the driveway) They had to go to the house, put a $19.95 smoke
detector on one of the ceilings, have it tested and get a certificate
to sell the house. (no they didn't get it back, the house was leveled
the next day)
A question, I saw a smoke detector geared to kids in a children's
furniture store on Main St. Webster (MA) It was like a plastic plaque
shaped like familiar things like dalmation with a fire hat, a fire
hydrant, a fire engine. It sold for something like $15 to 20., has
anyone got one, did you find it worth the investment, what's the sound
like?
Lyn
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