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On Sunday, Nov. 1, when people change their clocks back to Pacific Standard Time, they are also reminded to change the battery in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Almost all smoke alarms in the Las Vegas Valley contain a battery; this is the one time a year when the battery should be changed. This year marks the 22nd year that the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and Energizer battery has promoted the annual program.
In all homes built in Las Vegas since 1994, fire codes require that smoke alarms in homes (apartments and the like) must be wired into the home’s electric supply with a nine volt battery as back up power source. In homes built prior to 1994 the smoke alarm may be wired in without a battery or it may be a battery only operated smoke alarm. In either case, if it has a battery, it should be replaced.
Another concern regarding smoke alarms is that they have a life span of approximately 10 years. The alarms detect smoke using a small particle of radioactive material (similar to a watch that glows in the dark). The particle decays over a period of time, and may not detect smoke as well.
It is suggested that the smoke alarm be replaced after 10 years with a new duel-sensor IONIZATION/PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarm.
Current smoke alarms used are of the ionization type. Basically they smell the air for smoke and when they detect smoke, they sound an alarm. But tests have shown that they work best for fast burning, hot fires such as a kitchen or rubbish fire. Slower burning, cooler fires that smolder instead of producing large flames sometimes go undetected by the ionization smoke alarm. The photoelectric smoke alarm uses a light sensor built in the unit that detects visible smoke. When smoke disrupts the light beam in the unit, it activates the alarm. The combination ionization/photoelectric smoke alarm offers twice the protection by detecting visible smoke as well as picking up the scent of the smoke.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs now recommends combination ionization/photoelectric smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms have saved countless lives in Las Vegas and across the country. Prior to smoke alarms in the United States, tens of thousands of people died each year because of fires. Last year approximately 3,700 people died in fires in the United States. Considering the ever increasing population (percentage wise) the number of fire deaths has dramatically been reduced, largely in part because of the smoke alarm.
Most homes in Las Vegas have smoke alarms, but an alarming number of older homes still do not. If a person can not afford a smoke alarm for their home, they should contact Las Vegas Fire & Rescue (702-383-2888) to obtain a free smoke alarm.
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