Many families are addressing the importance of home security, and part of their efforts is carried out through the installation of smoke detectors. However, it is not enough to install smoke sensors if they are not properly maintained.
Smoke sensors help detect the presence of smoke in the home, thus avoiding dangerous situations involving fires. The important thing is to test them from time to time to ensure proper operation and carry out the appropriate maintenance.
This article will walk you through the steps of how a qualified North Shore Electrician tests and maintains a smoke detector.
Battery-Operated or Hard-Wired Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors can be one of two types: battery operated or wired to the house.
The first depends entirely on batteries. These are easy to install, but run the risk of failing if the battery charge runs low. Always use new batteries in these devices.
The second type operates by the electrical system of the house itself. These devices usually have backup batteries in case of power failure. They need to be tested from time to time to ensure proper operation.
How to Test Them
To test smoke detectors, you will first need to review the device's instructions. Remember that this step is essential, and if possible, it should be done with a qualified electrician. They will know how to install and test your detector properly.
Here are some simple steps to follow:
After reading the instruction manual, the first thing to do is to familiarize the whole family with the operation of this device. It is important to warn them about the sound, as it is very loud and may scare children and other members of the family.
The second thing is to test the sound of the device. Doing this is simple: you just need to press and hold the test button on the device. If the sound it emits is loud and shrill, it means that the alarm is fine. On the other hand, if the sound is faint and soft, you need to check the batteries.
The third thing is to measure the range – that is, how far it reaches. Everything will depend on the size of the house. It may happen that in certain places, the sound of the smoke detector is hard to hear.
Important: Change the batteries of the smoke detector once a year, even if they usually take power from the mains cable.
Conclusion
Safety is an issue that has been gaining momentum in more homes worldwide, and an increasing number of people are installing smoke detectors as a measure to avoid accidents and prevent fires.
Use a qualified electrician to handle smoke detectors, as these professionals are familiar with the installation and maintenance of these devices.