Helpful Q & A's from Harrods Creek FD

The goal of this page is to inform you about residential protection systems and to prepare you better for if or when they alert. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO DIAL 911 WHEN AN ALARM IS SOUNDING. It is best to let the fire department determine if there is a true emergency. Many times these alarms are false, but you are always better safe than sorry!

Thank you to the firefighters who wrote an article for this page. It could not have happened without your contributions.

CO is a colorless, odorless, deadly poison gas, which is slightly lighter than air, and undetectable to the human senses. The symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide are similar to the symptoms of many other common conditions, and are often not recognized as life threatening.

Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause chronic or acute illness, disability and death, depending upon the concentration and duration of exposure. In low concentrations it can overcome and kill in period of hours or days, and in higher concentrations it can cause immediate loss of consciousness and death within minutes.

NO! Carbon dioxide (CO2) is naturally present in the air in small quantities and is one of the substances produced by the living cells of plants and animals. Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the life process within the organs and tissues of your body and is naturally exhaled as you breathe.

Although breathing concentrated amounts of carbon dioxide can be harmful, because unlike air, it does not contain oxygen in form that your body can use, carbon dioxide is not poisonous. Meanwhile, carbon monoxide can be poisonous in very small amounts.

Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Medical experts believe, however, that individuals with greater oxygen requirements such as unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with coronary or respiratory problems are at greater risk.

The effects of alcohol and some prescription drugs can make you more vulnerable to carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly poison gas that can overcome and kill its victims when present in very small amounts. Because you can't see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know its there!

Carbon monoxide bonds very tightly to the hemoglobin in your blood, making its effects cumulative. Meaning that the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning do not go away immediately after there is no further exposure. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO CARBON MONOXIDE AND IS FEELING ILL RECEIVE PROMPT MEDICAL CARE.

Lower levels of exposure to carbon monoxide can cause symptoms similar to the flu, including headaches, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dizzy spells, fast heart rate and irritability. As exposure increases, confusion, disorientation, loss of consciousness, convulsions, brain damage and death can result.

Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning may attribute the early symptoms of its poisonous effects to common illnesses and stay indoors where they continue to be exposed and are often overcome while sleeping.

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of ordinary fuels. Automobiles and common fuel-burning home appliances produce it. Including furnaces, water heaters, pool heaters, clothes dryers, ranges, ovens, fireplaces, heating stoves, space heaters, kerosene heaters and charcoal grills. It is also found in the exhaust of gasoline and diesel automobiles, trucks, lawnmowers, trimmers, leaf blowers, chain saws, portable pumps, electric generators and other devices.
If any of these things are improperly venting their exhaust into your home, carbon monoxide can spread throughout your home via walls, doorways, vents, cracks and crevices.

If all potential sources of carbon monoxide in your home are properly installed, used, vented properly and free of malfunctions, the carbon monoxide they produce will most likely be vented safely to the outside and will not enter your home However as new homes are sealed more tightly, the insulation meant to make your home energy-efficient may trap carbon monoxide inside, leading to a dangerous build-up over time even from a very small source of carbon monoxide.

Concentrations of carbon monoxide are usually represented in parts per million (PPM).

Since the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning are cumulative, the danger of exposure to CO depends on both the level of concentration and the length of exposure.

The U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established that continuous exposure levels of 50 PPM should not be exceeded for an 8-hour period.

Many healthy adults will not experience noticeable symptoms at this exposure level, however it is generally considered to be unhealthy and is likely to cause symptoms in those people who are most vulnerable to carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide concentrations of 100 PPM or higher are considered immediately hazardous and are likely to produce some symptoms after a few hours exposure or less.

About $25-50 at any hardware store. Follow instructions on package for proper placement.f CO Detectors article

Like smoke detectors, heat detectors should be considered an essential component of a home’s fire protection system. Heat detectors, although not as widely used as smoke detectors, typically serve as a complement to smoke detectors and are usually located where smoke detectors are either impractical or unnecessary. Heat detectors function differently from smoke detectors in that they detect heat extremes instead of actual smoke. Therefore some areas that are ideal for heat detectors are the kitchen, garage, laundry room, and workshop areas.

Most heat detectors operate in one of two ways. They either sound an alarm when the sensor reaches a preset temperature, for example 150 degrees. They may also sound an alarm when the sensor detects a rapid jump in temperature, for example a 50 degree temperature change over a three minute period. It is important to remember if only smoke is present, a heat detector probably won’t sound.

When a heat detector alarm sounds, get out of the residence immediately. Although malfunctions are possible, it is better to be safe than sorry. If a heat detector is sounding in conjunction with a smoke detector, the odds of a fire somewhere in the house is greatly increased.
Heat detectors are often tied into a central fire alarm system in residential settings. Many of these detectors are actually combination heat and photocell smoke detectors. They will sound in the event a temperature extreme is detected or when enough haze has developed to obstruct the photocell in the detector. This type of combination detector is widely used by professional alarm companies, which typically offer monitoring of the detectors for a monthly fee.

Purchased alone, heat detectors usually cost more than the average smoke detector. The benefits definitely justify the cost. For example, a heat detector is not going to sound every time a piece of toast is burned or the clothes dryer is running. Battery powered heat detectors may be purchased at most large hardware stores, and hardwired units can be purchased from an authorized burglar/fire alarm company. If a battery powered unit is used, remember that if the batteries are dead you may be as well. Check all smoke and heat detectors on a monthly basis.

For years the most popular name for these devices, which alert residents to a potential fire, has been smoke detectors. However, to become more consistent with international terminology manufacturers have recently changed the name to smoke alarms.

A smoke alarm is the most common and most visible fire safety device in homes today. When installed, used and maintained property they greatly increase your chances of surviving a fire. Over 92% of residences have smoke alarms. But, an alarming number of these devices no longer function properly or fail to work at all.

There are two basic types of detectors, photoelectric and ionization. Photoelectric units use a beam of light and a light sensor to detect smoke. The light is constantly on but is not pointed directly at the sensor. When smoke enters the detector light is reflected off the particles of smoke and onto the sensor. This sounds the alarm. Photoelectric detectors respond faster to the large smoke particles created by smoldering fires.

Ionization units measure the electrical current in the air between positive and negative charges of ions. A small piece of radioactive material creates a low electrical current in the air that flows through the sensor. When smoke enters the detector it changes the current in the air between the ions. Thus sounding the alarm. Ionization units respond faster to the small smoke partials of fast flaming fire.

A good smoke alarm can be purchased for under $20. However, consumer demand has brought many new features to smoke alarms. Most of these features help keep the detector in good working order. Some new smoke alarms can be tested using a flash light instead of pushing a button on the smoke alarm. Simply point the light at the unit and the alarm will test itself. Some other new detectors can be silenced for 15 minutes. Instead of taking the battery out to avoid a false alarm, such as odors from cooking, the alarm can be silenced until the air has cleared.

Another new feature is a light in the smoke alarm. When the alarm sounds, a light turns on to help the occupants find their way out. Smoke alarms can also be purchased that wire directly into a home electrical system. This reduces the chance that the smoke alarm will fail due to the a dead battery or lack of one. However these units still have a battery back up. Combination ionization /photoelectric and units with 10 year batteries are also available.

Battery powered smoke alarms are simple to install with tools you probably already have around the house. Because different types and brands of alarms have specific instructions for their installation, always follow the manufactures instructions.

The average size home or apartment needs more than one smoke alarm. There should be at least one smoke alarm for each level of the home. A smoke alarm should also be placed outside each bedroom, close enough to be heard through a closed door.

Smoke alarms should not be installed on areas of extreme hot or cold, or in an area where smoke and dust are common. Areas such as garages and attics are not suitable locations for smoke alarms. Smoke alarms installed in the kitchen may signal false alarms if they are to close to cooking and baking. Again follow the manufactures recommendation for find the proper location for smoke alarms.

Testing
The most important step in maintaining your smoke alarm is to test it. All smoke alarms are equipped with a test button. By pressing this button the alarm will sound to let you know that the smoke alarm is in good working order. It is recommended they be tested once a month.

You should never use real smoke to test a detector. The burning object used to create the smoke could start a real fire or the smoke could cause health problems. Simulated smoke in pressurized can is available in stores. However if used improperly it can damage the smoke alarm. Make sure to follow all directions.

Batteries
Batteries in smoke alarms should be replaced once a year. The most common reason smoke alarms fail to work is that people remove the battery. The battery is usually removed to stop a nuisance alarm or to stop the low battery alarm. When the battery in a smoke alarm is low the unit will chirp about once a minute. When this occurs the battery needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Cleaning
It is a good idea to clean smoke alarms once a year. This can be done at the same time as the battery is replace. Dust can accumulate inside the unit. Cleaning can be accomplished by vacuuming around the outside of the alarm.

Replacement
Some alarms work continuously 24 hours a day even if smoke is not present. The electronic sensors inside or constantly monitoring the air for sign of danger. Just like any electrical appliance, the components of a smoke alarm wear out over time. The average life of a smoke alarm is 10 years. After this time the chances that the alarm will fail increase greatly. Even smoke alarms that are wired directly into a homes electrical system need to be replaced.

Some new smoke alarms are sold with ten year batteries. These units are sealed to prevent the replacement of this battery. When the low battery alarm on these units starts to chirp, it is time to replace the smoke alarm.

Need help???
The safety and well being of the residents of the Harrods Creek Fire Protection District is our number one priority. Part of our job as firefighters is to educated the public on fire safety and prevention. The Harrods Creek Fire Department is not only at your service when emergency assistance is needed, we are also available to help you with the proper installation, replacement, and maintenance of your smoke alarms. If you have any questions or would like a firefighter to visit your home please don’t hesitate to call.

Springtime Fire Safety

With yard chores, particularly lawn mowing, right around the corner, the Harrods Creek Fire Department urges caution when storing gasoline, a flammable liquid that readily gives off vapors easily ignited with a spark or small flame. Gasoline should only be used as a motor fuel, never as a degreaser or cleaning solvent. Using gasoline for any purposes other than motor fuel is just too dangerous. If properly used, most gasoline fires are easily avoided.

Harrods Creek Fire Department also points out that commonly used liquids such as lacquer thinners, denatured alcohol, and other solvents, which are often stored in basement workshops, can easily be ignited by a nearby furnace or hot water heater. These liquids should be stored in their original containers, tightly capped, and used far away from sparks or open flames. Other liquids, including paint thinners, mineral spirits and kerosene, are less easily ignited, but should be treated with the same respect. Finally, hang or spread rags soaked in oils or paint thinners outside to dry and then dispose of them properly.

Improperly stored or used flammable products cause unnecessary fires, injuries and even deaths. Becoming familiar with the hazardous materials around your home can go a long way to protect you and your family.