Daylight savings time should remind us to replace the batteries in our smoke detectors. There are about 4 smoke detectors in each condo. They require standard 9 volt batteries. Use a ladder that will permit you to safely reach the detector.
How it works
Smoke detectors detectors provide the first line of defense in the detection of a smoldering fire. Smoke can kill the occupants well before a hot fire starts. The smoke detectors in our condos are wired together so any detection of smoke will cause all detectors to sound an alarm.
The smoke detectors will not sound a general building evacuation alarm. So "burning the toast" won't call the fire department. If a serious fire were to start, you should go to a "pull box" to alert all of the building occupants to evacuate.
The sprinkler heads in your condo will not spray water until 165 degrees has been reached. When a sprinkler goes off, the water flow is detected and a general evacuation alarm will sound. Contrary to what you see in the movies, only the sprinkler head that is exposed to the heat will spray water. Hopefully, it will arrest the fire in the early stages.
In all cases, if an evacuation alarm sounds, leave the building immediately! In many large building fires, you will not smell smoke. Today's systems rarely deliver false alarms. They are inspected and tested on a regular basis to ensure reliability.
Use the nearest stairway to exit the building. By fire code, elevators are programmed to return to the lobby in the event of a fire.
Other considerations:
- Know where the fire"pull-boxes" are located.
- Look around building for fire extinguishers. They are located near many of the exit points.
- Do you have fire extinguishers in your condo? Does everyone know where they are and how to use them? A simple kitchen fire can be stopped in seconds when you are prepared.
- Pick a rally point well away from the building for your family to meet in case of an evacuation.
More information will follow in future articles.
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