Office of the State Fire Marshal
State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy
Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
October 5, 2010
Contact:
Deputy State Fire Marshal Esther Hernandez
Phone:
360.596.3926
E-mail:
esther.hernandez@wsp.wa.gov
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OCT. 3-9, 2010
Smoke Alarms: Up, Down, All Around
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home (including the basement), outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. Interconnected smoke alarms offer the best protection; when one sounds, they all do. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals.
There are two types of smoke alarm technologies – ionization and photoelectric. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires. A photoelectric alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing both types of alarms in your home or a combination ionization and photoelectric alarm that takes advantage of both technologies.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following tips for making sure smoke alarms are maintained and working properly:
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
- If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
- Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re 10 years old (or sooner) if they do not respond properly when tested.
- Never remove or disable a smoke alarm.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in your area, please contact your local fire department or visit NFPA’s website at www.firepreventionweek.org
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington State including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington State’s firefighters, and collecting emergency response data.
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