Wenatchee ,Chelan Real Estate Home Inspections- Smoke alarms and detectors.

One of the best safety devices you can have in your home is a smoke detector. Not having smoke detectors that are functioning and in all the proper locations is a life safety issue.

It is very important to understand that these devices should not be kept in service for more than ten years from the date of manufacture.

The NFPA  (National Fire Protection Agency) states:  Replacement of Smoke Alarms in One- and Two Family Dwellings.  Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer's published instructions, single- and multiple-stations smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall be replaced when they fail to respond to operability tests, but shall not remain in service longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture.

Where do I place them?

The State of Washington requires that you must have smoke detectors in all sleeping and napping rooms.  And as follows:

 If your home has more than one story and/or a basement, you must install a smoke detector on each story and in the basement.

 When sleeping or napping rooms are on an upper level, you must place the smoke detector on the ceiling of the upper level in close proximity to the stairway and in each sleeping or napping room.

If the ceiling height of a room open to the hallway serving sleeping or napping rooms exceeds that of the hallway by twenty-four inches or more, you must install smoke detectors in both the hallway and the sleeping or napping room.

Here is a couple more interesting tid-bits from the state-

Where battery operated smoke detectors are installed, you must keep on the premises at least one extra battery of the type and size specified for the battery operated smoke detector.

You must test single station smoke detectors at monthly intervals or in a manner specified by the manufacturer. You must keep a record of the testing on the premises.

Now the question is what type of smoke detector should I use, Photoelectric or Ionization?

Ionization smoke dectection is generally more responsive to flaming fires.
Photoelectric smoke detection is generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering (smoke).

Since the prediction of what type of fire you will have is dubious it is recommended that you minimally install both types of smoke detectors in the home.

I would not recommend dual sensor type. Even though there has been tests that show they respond quicker than either types there is mounting evidence that some detectors may be worse.

When writing up a home inspection report I always recommend to my clients that they should evaluate and replace as necessary. When in doubt replace them.

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NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…                             

NCW Home Inspections LLC-509-670-9572