Smoke Alarm Pro » Helpful Information

Oregon Carbon Monoxide Monitor Law Starts

David — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:28:45 +0000

Any rental properties that are sold or rented starting July 1st must have a carbon monoxide detector equipped.

The Centers for Disease Control says about 450 people die each year, and 20,000 are sent to the emergency room because of carbon monoxide.

By April, all other rental properties must have the monitors installed. The law is being implemented in two parts to help ease the financial burden of property owners with multiple rentals.

Installing Smoke Alarms In Mobile Homes

David — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:05:55 +0000

For minimum security install one Smoke Alarm as close to each sleeping area as possible. For more security, put one unit in each room. Many older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no insulation. If your mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of the amount of insulation, it is important to install units on inside walls only. Smoke Alarms should be installed where temperatures normally remain between 40° F (4° C) and 100° F (38° C).

Review: First Alert Plug-In, Carbon Monoxide Alarm (CO600B)

David — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:34:50 +0000

On Sale: $20.75

This carbon monoxide alarm plugs into a standard electrical outlet allowing you to quickly monitor carbon monoxide levels. Because this detector is portable you can move it to different rooms in your home when desired.

Features:

• AC Plug-In Portable Carbon Monoxide Alarm
• Electrochemical Carbon Monoxide Sensor is the Most Accurate Sensor Available
• Single Test/Silence Button

Technical Specifications:

• Detector Type: Carbon Monoxide
• Sensor Type: Electrochemical
• Power Source: Plug-In
• Certifications: UL listed

New California Law Soon Requires CO Detector

David — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:44:34 +0000

California Senate Bill 183 was signed into law which requires the installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in rental units, and dwellings that are being transferred (sold) by January 1, 2011. It also requires that Carbon Monoxide detectors are installed in ALL homes by January 1st, 2013.

Expect to see this new inspection item in your home inspection report. Home inspectors will be required to report on the presence or absence of a working Carbon Monoxide detector just like they report on Smoke Detectors, and water heater strapping.

Home Buyers and Sellers will also see this new requirement on Transfer Disclosure Statements. In addition to Smoke Alarms and strapped water heaters, sellers will be required to disclose the presence or absence of a working Carbon Monoxide detector starting January 1, 2011.

Details of SB 183

This bill requires that a carbon monoxide device be installed in existing dwellings intended for human occupancy that have a fossil fuel burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage, provides that the exclusive remedy for failure to install a device is actual damages not to exceed $100, exclusive of any court costs and attorney’s fees, revises the statutory Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement to require the seller of a one-to-four residential property or manufactured home to make certain disclosures regarding carbon monoxide devices, smoke detectors, and water heaters, and requires the owner of a rental dwelling unit to maintain carbon monoxide devices in the unit.

This bill revises the statutory transfer disclosure statement as follows:

1. Requires the seller to check off whether or not the property has one or more carbon monoxide devices.

2. Adds a footnote to the statement advising buyers that installation of a carbon monoxide device is not a precondition of sale.

3. Requires a seller to certify, as opposed to checking off as under existing law, which the property is in compliance with laws requiring smoke detectors and the bracing of water heaters.

This bill provides that failure to install a carbon monoxide device is an infraction. Under the bill, an owner must first be given a 30-day notice to correct the violation and, if it is not corrected within that time period, the owner is subject to a fine of $200 for each offense.

This bill requires a property owner to maintain carbon monoxide devices in a rental dwelling unit and would require that the devices be operable at the time the tenant takes possession of the unit. This bill requires a tenant to notify the landlord if the tenant becomes aware that the device is inoperable or deficient and would require the landlord to correct the reported inoperability or deficiency. This bill provides that a landlord is not in violation if he/she has not received the notification from the tenant.

This bill provides that a landlord may enter the dwelling unit for the purpose of installing, repairing, testing, and maintaining carbon monoxide devices pursuant to the requirements of Civil Code Section 1954.

Most Carbon Monoxide detectors cost $30 or less and can be purchased at Westside Wholesale (Same Day Shipping Before 4pm PST).

Smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing

David — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:08:04 +0000

There are some smoke alarms with strobes or the ability to be used with strobes – also called visible notification appliances – that signal to awaken those that are deaf (those with profound hearing loss.) the use of tactile notification appliances (such as a pillow or bed shaker) is also now required, and activated by the sound of the smoke alarm. The means for signaling to awaken those who are hard of hearing (those with mild to severe hearing loss) is through the use of a complex low frequency audible signal. Smoke alarms currently on the market do not produce this signal. However, separate notification appliances are available that do produce this signal, and are activated by the sound of the smoke alarm.

Do smoke detectors really make a difference? Yes!

David — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:47:48 +0000

• On average in the United States in 2007, someone died in a fire abut every 150 minutes, and someone was injured every 30 minutes.

• 1.6 million fires were reported.

• 3,430 civilians lost their lives as a result of fire.

• Children face a greater risk of injury or death from a fire, with the risk to children under 5 yrs of age almost doubling.

• 80% of deaths as a result of fire occurred in the home.

• Homes with smoke alarms typically have a death rate that is 40 percent to 50 percent less than the rate for homes without alarms.

• 95% of U.S. homes have at least one smoke alarm, yet more than half of home fire deaths occur in the 5 percent of homes with no smoke alarms.

• Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.

• Fires within homes are not bright, they are just the opposite. Thick black smoke quickly makes it completely dark and almost impossible to see around you, making it difficult to find your way.

• Cooking is the primary cause of residential fires.

• Heat from a fire can kill. Temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at near the floor and rise to over 600 degrees at eye level.

• The risk of dying form fires in homes without smoke detectors is twice as high as in homes that have working smoke alarms.

• Most fire related deaths occur at night, while family members are asleep.

Source: National Fire Protection Association Fire Loss in the U.S. During 2006, USFA’s Statistics in the United States in 2007 and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission document #5077.

Review: Kidde Battery Powered Talking Combination Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarm (KN-COSM-B)

David — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:37:17 +0000

2 in 1 Talking Alarm announces the hazard type detected helping to speed up the reaction time

The Kidde KN-COSM-B Combination Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarm provides two important safety devices in a single unit. This alarm includes a voice warning system that announces “Fire, Carbon Monoxide, Low Battery or Smart Hush Activation”. The voice alarm eliminates any confusion and clearly warns you and your family of a smoke or carbon monoxide danger, or if your battery is in need of replacement. This technically advanced combination alarm is battery operated protecting you and your family even during a power outage when many incidences occur. The KN-COSM-B is an easy to install alarm that is suitable for all living areas, has a 5 year limited warranty, and is UL approved.

Alarm Warnings

Fire: The red LED will flash and be accompanied by three long alarm beeps followed by a verbal warning message “FIRE! FIRE!“. The alarm will repeat pattern until smoke is eliminated.

Carbon Monoxide: Four short alarm beeps followed by a verbal warning “WARNING! CARBON MONOXIDE!” This continues until the unit is reset or the CO is eliminated.

Low Battery: One chirp followed by warning “LOW BATTERY“. The red LED light will flash. This pattern will continue every minute for the first hour. After the first hour the red LED light will flash once every minute accompanied by the chirp sound. The “LOW BATTERY” warning will only sound once every fifteen minutes.

Voice Hush Indication: “HUSH ACTIVATED” and “HUSH CANCELED” voice announcement.

Peak Level Memory: If the alarm had detected a CO level of 100ppm or higher, the unit will announce “CO PREVIOUSLY DETECTED” to warn of the CO incident, when the Test/Reset button is pressed.

Features:

• 2 in 1 Talking Alarm announces the hazard type detected helping to speed up the reaction time
• A single unit can be installed where previously two were needed
• Battery Safeguard ensures the unit cannot be accidentally mounted without batteries installed
• Test Reset Button tests alarm circuitry and triggers the voice announcement
• Complies with the following authorities: FHA, HUD, MFPA, CSFM
• UL Approved

Technical Specifications:

• Part Number: 900-0102
• Model: KN-COSM-B
• Power Source: 3 AA Battery
• Sensors: Smoke: Ionization, CO: Fuel Cell
• Audio Alarm: 85dB at 10ft
• Temperature Range: 40°F (4.4°C) to 100°F (37.8°C)
• Humidity Range: 5%-95%

Causes for False Alarms From Your Smoke Alarm

David — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:23:28 +0000

• The cover or sensor chamber may be covered by dust or dirt. Alarms may look clean, but dust can accumulate inside the cover, even in newly built homes. Gently vacuum your smoke alarm regularly using the soft brush attachment.

• Insects may have clogged the sensor chamber. Clean the smoke detector with the soft brush attachment on your vacuum. To prevent repeat problems, clean and treat the surrounding area with insect repellent (DO NOT SPRAY THE SMOKE DETECTOR ITSELF).

• You may have experienced a power interruption. Hardwired smoke detectors may sound briefly when power is interrupted then restored.

• If you have hard wired smoke detectors, you may have a loose electrical connection on your AC or AC/DC smoke alarm. In AC or AC/DC smoke alarms, loose connections can intermittently disconnect power to the smoke alarm. The effect is the same as a power failure. When power is restored, the units may sound briefly.

Fire Safety Tips For Outdoor Grilling

David — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:22:17 +0000

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.

• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot “safe zone” around the grill.

• Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.

• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.

Charcoal grills

• Purchase the proper starter fluid and store the can out of reach of children, and away from heat sources.

• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.

Propane grills

• Check the gas cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles. If you determine your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. I f the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.

• Use only equipment with the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.

ENSURE THE GRILL IS PROPERLY TURNED OFF OR COALS ARE COMPLETELY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE LEAVING THE GRILL UNATTENDED

Safety Facts

David — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:11:48 +0000

In 2008 fire killed more Americans than natural disasters according to the USFA. Check your batteries in your smoke alarm today – make 2010 a record year for safety