By Dominic Gualtieri, Fire Alarm Technician
Why you need to have your smoke alarms professionally tested with simulated smoke?
We are reminded frequently by the Ontario Fire Marshal that it is essential to have smoke alarms installed in a home. It is the law.
We should also be sure that the alarms are working properly.
Research by the National Fire Protection Association conducted between 2007 and 2011 concluded that three out of five home fire deaths are a result of fires in properties that did not have working smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms mainly fall under two categories: photoelectric and ionization. Ionization alarms activate in response to fast moving flames while photoelectric alarms activate quickly in response to smouldering smoky fires.
Figure 1 illustrates the principles behind the photoelectric smoke chamber while Figure 2 illustrates the principles behind the ionization smoke chamber.
The above graphics show each type of smoke alarm uses a complex technology to sense that smoke has entered the chamber.
Why is this relevant?
When the test button is pushed on a smoke alarm, the system checks if the electronics would work in the event that smoke has been detected; not that the chamber in the smoke alarm can actually sense smoke.
The only true test is to have a professionally trained certified Fire Alarm Technician introduce simulated smoke into the chamber. If the smoke alarm is working correctly then the alarm will sound and you can be completely sure your smoke alarm is working correctly and will detect the presence of fire if the situation arises.
For more information on testing smoke alarms please contact Dominic Gualtieri, Niagara Fire Alarm & Electrical Services,
289-668-0949, nfaaes@gmail.com.