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Why do we need Smoke Alarms?
A smoke alarm is critical for the early detection of a fire in your home and could mean the difference between life and death. Fires can occur in a variety of ways and in any room of your home. But no matter where or how, having a smoke alarm is the first key step towards your family’s safety. This information is not intended to be all inclusive, but it is intended to inform the reader about some of the safety aspects and importance of having and maintaining working smoke alarms.
Why are Smoke Alarms Important?
Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. In a fire, smoke and deadly gases tend to spread farther and faster than heat. That’s one reason why most fire victims die from inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not as a result of burns. A majority of fatal fires happen when families are asleep because occupants are unaware of the fire until there is not adequate time to escape. A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock and, when it first senses smoke, it sounds a shrill alarm. This often allows a family the precious but limited time it takes to escape. About two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are considered to be one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and could reduce the risk of dying from a fire in your home by almost half.
Where Should Smoke Alarms be Installed?
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. A smoke alarm should be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When installing a smoke alarm, many factors influence where you will place it, including how many are to be installed. Consider placing alarms along your escape path to assist in egress in limited visibility conditions. In general you should place alarms in the center of a ceiling or, if you place them on a wall, they should be 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling.
CPSC staff recommends the following:
Interconnection
Interconnected smoke alarms may provide improved protection and offer more escape time in a fire. This type of smoke alarm allows all smoke alarms to sound if one has detected smoke. With interconnected smoke alarms, a fire in the basement, for example, will trigger the closest smoke alarm and alert all the occupants in the home by sounding all the smoke alarms. Not all homes have interconnected smoke alarms. Prior to 1989, existing homes typically had independent single-station, battery-only-powered smoke alarms. After 1989, new homes included hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms.
Interconnected smoke alarms are typically connected using a wire, but newer wireless technology is available that allows smoke alarms to be interconnected without using wires. This allows easier and less costly upgrade to interconnected smoke alarms for older homes. Not all homes may need interconnected smoke alarms. Small, single-level homes may not benefit from interconnected smoke alarms because of the close proximity between smoke alarms.
What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. Products and equipment powered by internal combustion engine-powered equipment such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers also produce CO.
How many people are unintentionally poisoned by CO?
On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas. In 2005 alone, CPSC staff is aware of at least 94 generator-related CO poisoning deaths. Forty-seven of these deaths were known to have occurred during power outages due to severe weather, including Hurricane Katrina. Still others die from CO produced by non-consumer products, such as cars left running in attached garages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms every year to be treated for CO poisoning.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:
High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:
Symptom severity is related to both the CO level and the duration of exposure. For slowly developing residential CO problems, occupants and/or physicians can mistake mild to moderate CO poisoning symptoms for the flu, which sometimes results in tragic deaths. For rapidly developing, high level CO exposures (e.g., associated with use of generators in residential spaces), victims can rapidly become mentally confused, and can lose muscle control without having first experienced milder symptoms; they will likely die if not rescued.
How can I prevent CO poisoning?
What CO level is dangerous to my health?
The health effects of CO depend on the CO concentration and length of exposure, as well as each individual’s health condition. CO concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm). Most people will not experience any symptoms from prolonged exposure to CO levels of approximately 1 to 70 ppm but some heart patients might experience an increase in chest pain. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.
What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning and do not have a CO alarm, or my CO alarm is not going off?
If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately. Leave the home and call your fire department to report your symptoms from a neighbor’s home. You could lose consciousness and die if you stay in the home. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning. If the doctor confirms CO poisoning, make sure a qualified service person checks the appliances for proper operation before reusing them.
Are CO alarms reliable?
CO alarms always have been and still are designed to alarm before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached. The safety standards for CO alarms have been continually improved and currently marketed CO alarms are not as susceptible to nuisance alarms as earlier models.
How should a consumer test a CO alarm to make sure it is working?
Consumers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a test button tests whether the circuitry is operating correctly, not the accuracy of the sensor. Alarms have a recommended replacement age, which can be obtained from the product literature or from the manufacturer.
How should I install a CO Alarm?
CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. CPSC recommends that one CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area of the home. CO alarms may be installed into a plug-in receptacle or high on the wall. Hard wired or plug-in CO alarms should have battery backup. Avoid locations that are near heating vents or that can be covered by furniture or draperies. CPSC does not recommend installing CO alarms in kitchens or above fuel-burning appliances.
What should you do when the CO alarm sounds?
Never ignore an alarming CO alarm! It is warning you of a potentially deadly hazard.
If the alarm signal sounds do not try to find the source of the CO:
If authorities allow you to return to your home, and your alarm reactivates within a 24 hour period, repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 and call a qualified appliance technician to investigate for sources of CO from all fuel burning equipment and appliances, and inspect for proper operation of this equipment. If problems are identified during this inspection, have the equipment serviced immediately. Note any combustion equipment not inspected by the technician and consult the manufacturers’ instructions, or contact the manufacturers directly, for more information about CO safety and this equipment. Make sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an attached garage or adjacent to the residence.
What is the role of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in preventing CO poisoning?
CPSC staff worked closely with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to help develop the safety standard (UL 2034) for CO alarms. CPSC helps promote carbon monoxide safety by raising awareness of CO hazards and the need for correct use and regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances. CPSC staff also works with stakeholders to develop voluntary and mandatory standards for fuel-burning appliances and conducts independent research into CO alarm performance under likely home-use conditions.
Do some cities require that CO alarms be installed?
Many states and local jurisdictions now require CO alarms be installed in residences. Check with your local building code official to find out about the requirements in your location.
Should CO alarms be used in motor homes and other recreational vehicles?
CO alarms are available for boats and recreational vehicles and should be used. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association requires CO alarms in motor homes and in towable recreational vehicles that have a generator or are prepped for a generator.
To our customers regarding various phone services and Alarm Monitoring
There are many mixed messages regarding Verizon FiOS and Optimum voice services and how they work with alarm monitoring. We at GSI have taken the time to research what both companies have stated in writing and you can read it for yourself below:
________________________________________________________
Verizon – FiOS
(From: www.verizon.com, fine print at bottom of screen in FiOS section)
Verizon will install a battery back-up unit inside your garage or home. A 3-pronged grounded power outlet should be available nearby for the battery back-up unit. You are responsible for periodically replacing the backup battery. A battery unit will supply back-up power for standard voice service (but not Voice Over IP services), including E-911, for up to 8 hours. Backup battery does not supply power for Internet, VOIP, or video services. Not all Alarms (switch or private line), are compatible with fiber. A customer wanting a response activated alarm system should check with their specific alarm company for guidelines. It may be necessary to maintain/install a separate copper line into the home to support alarm service.
________________________________________________________
Cablevision – Optimum Voice
(From: Optimum Reference Guide)
Visit www.cablevision.com for more information
________________________________________________________
HOME SECURITY AND MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEMS
Customers who use Optimum Voice as a connection between their home security system and central station monitoring are responsible for testing their system with their alarm company at the time of installation and on an ongoing basis, and also must notify their alarm company of any change in their telephone number.
Cablevision does not support the use of any Optimum Voice service as a connection for emergency medical alert systems, high-security monitoring systems (UL 681 or similar) or fire alarm systems (UL 864 or similar). Customers must maintain alternate phone connection for such connections. We will provide a wire connection so that Optimum Voice services are available for use with your existing security system. Customer must follow-up with their alarm company to confirm that they have your correct and current phone number and to perform any periodic operational tests that your central station-monitoring provider might recommend. In the event of an outage, your Optimum Voice service will not be available to contact your central station-monitoring provider.
Based on the above, you can see that they have taken the stance that the customer must check with their alarm company for standard monitoring. Verizon says that they will install a battery backup that will support the voice service portion only for up to 8 hours. (Just for the record FiOS voice is NOT VoIP, it looks like and behaves like a POTS line but it is not powered from the Central Office as a traditional copper phone line). Cablevision actually goes further to say that they DO NOT support “emergency medical alert systems, high-security monitoring systems (UL 681 or similar) or fire alarm systems (UL 864 or similar)”.
Putting aside what we all know about code compliance and what is allowed by NFPA or any other standard, the service providers themselves are telling you not to use their service for critical monitoring applications. They are also deferring back to the alarm companies to determine if their service is acceptable for non-critical, or standard monitoring services.
Why False Alarms should be avoided?
Thousands of homeowners and business rely on sophisticated alarm systems to summon help for burglaries, fires and medical emergencies. Yet about 90 percent of calls sounded each year are false alarms, tripped inadvertently because of user error and faulty equipment.
As an alarm owner, you should know the severity of a false alarm dispatch is the same as falsely calling 911.
Most false alarms are caused either by user error or an environmental factor at the location – such as birds in a warehouse tripping a motion detector. So the best way to limit false alarms is through knowledge of your system and the location it is designed to protect. For instance, motion detectors shouldn’t be installed in areas where pets can roam.
In the event of a FIRE ALARM, NEVER assume that it is a false alarm. Treat every fire alarm as the real thing. Do not reset the alarm until the fire department arrives. They need to see where the problem is in case it is a malfunction.
Why are false alarms a problem? False alarms take police away from real emergencies. This embarrassing situation for you can endanger the responding authorities and the whole community.
False alarms can lead neighbors to ignore your alarm when it goes off.
False alarms make you reluctant to arm your system, exposing your home and property to undetected theft or fire.
False alarms can cost you money! Many cities and towns assess costly fines for excessive false alarms.
False alarms make your security system less reliable and credible.
________________________________________________________
Learn how YOU can Prevent False Alarms
Be comfortable using your system
Everyone who has keys to your home and business must know how to operate your security system.
Have all alarm system users practice the process to cancel an accidental alarm.
Keep in touch with your alarm company!
The bottom line is to be comfortable with your alarm system, and to communicate with your alarm company. Call with any questions, concerns, or changes in your household or business since the system was installed.
This section of the website is reserved for information that will be made available to customers. Follow the links to help you find what you are looking for.
If you need to contact GSI for any reason please visit our contact us section.
Why do we need Smoke Alarms?
A smoke alarm is critical for the early detection of a fire in your home and could mean the difference between life and death. Fires can occur in a variety of ways and in any room of your home. But no matter where or how, having a smoke alarm is the first key step towards your family’s safety. This information is not intended to be all inclusive, but it is intended to inform the reader about some of the safety aspects and importance of having and maintaining working smoke alarms.
Why are Smoke Alarms Important?
Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. In a fire, smoke and deadly gases tend to spread farther and faster than heat. That’s one reason why most fire victims die from inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not as a result of burns. A majority of fatal fires happen when families are asleep because occupants are unaware of the fire until there is not adequate time to escape. A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock and, when it first senses smoke, it sounds a shrill alarm. This often allows a family the precious but limited time it takes to escape. About two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are considered to be one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and could reduce the risk of dying from a fire in your home by almost half.
Where Should Smoke Alarms be Installed?
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. A smoke alarm should be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When installing a smoke alarm, many factors influence where you will place it, including how many are to be installed. Consider placing alarms along your escape path to assist in egress in limited visibility conditions. In general you should place alarms in the center of a ceiling or, if you place them on a wall, they should be 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling.
CPSC staff recommends the following:
Interconnection
Interconnected smoke alarms may provide improved protection and offer more escape time in a fire. This type of smoke alarm allows all smoke alarms to sound if one has detected smoke. With interconnected smoke alarms, a fire in the basement, for example, will trigger the closest smoke alarm and alert all the occupants in the home by sounding all the smoke alarms. Not all homes have interconnected smoke alarms. Prior to 1989, existing homes typically had independent single-station, battery-only-powered smoke alarms. After 1989, new homes included hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms.
Interconnected smoke alarms are typically connected using a wire, but newer wireless technology is available that allows smoke alarms to be interconnected without using wires. This allows easier and less costly upgrade to interconnected smoke alarms for older homes. Not all homes may need interconnected smoke alarms. Small, single-level homes may not benefit from interconnected smoke alarms because of the close proximity between smoke alarms.
What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. Products and equipment powered by internal combustion engine-powered equipment such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers also produce CO.
How many people are unintentionally poisoned by CO?
On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas. In 2005 alone, CPSC staff is aware of at least 94 generator-related CO poisoning deaths. Forty-seven of these deaths were known to have occurred during power outages due to severe weather, including Hurricane Katrina. Still others die from CO produced by non-consumer products, such as cars left running in attached garages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms every year to be treated for CO poisoning.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:
High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:
Symptom severity is related to both the CO level and the duration of exposure. For slowly developing residential CO problems, occupants and/or physicians can mistake mild to moderate CO poisoning symptoms for the flu, which sometimes results in tragic deaths. For rapidly developing, high level CO exposures (e.g., associated with use of generators in residential spaces), victims can rapidly become mentally confused, and can lose muscle control without having first experienced milder symptoms; they will likely die if not rescued.
How can I prevent CO poisoning?
What CO level is dangerous to my health?
The health effects of CO depend on the CO concentration and length of exposure, as well as each individual’s health condition. CO concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm). Most people will not experience any symptoms from prolonged exposure to CO levels of approximately 1 to 70 ppm but some heart patients might experience an increase in chest pain. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.
What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning and do not have a CO alarm, or my CO alarm is not going off?
If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately. Leave the home and call your fire department to report your symptoms from a neighbor’s home. You could lose consciousness and die if you stay in the home. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning. If the doctor confirms CO poisoning, make sure a qualified service person checks the appliances for proper operation before reusing them.
Are CO alarms reliable?
CO alarms always have been and still are designed to alarm before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached. The safety standards for CO alarms have been continually improved and currently marketed CO alarms are not as susceptible to nuisance alarms as earlier models.
How should a consumer test a CO alarm to make sure it is working?
Consumers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a test button tests whether the circuitry is operating correctly, not the accuracy of the sensor. Alarms have a recommended replacement age, which can be obtained from the product literature or from the manufacturer.
How should I install a CO Alarm?
CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. CPSC recommends that one CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area of the home. CO alarms may be installed into a plug-in receptacle or high on the wall. Hard wired or plug-in CO alarms should have battery backup. Avoid locations that are near heating vents or that can be covered by furniture or draperies. CPSC does not recommend installing CO alarms in kitchens or above fuel-burning appliances.
What should you do when the CO alarm sounds?
Never ignore an alarming CO alarm! It is warning you of a potentially deadly hazard.
If the alarm signal sounds do not try to find the source of the CO:
If authorities allow you to return to your home, and your alarm reactivates within a 24 hour period, repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 and call a qualified appliance technician to investigate for sources of CO from all fuel burning equipment and appliances, and inspect for proper operation of this equipment. If problems are identified during this inspection, have the equipment serviced immediately. Note any combustion equipment not inspected by the technician and consult the manufacturers’ instructions, or contact the manufacturers directly, for more information about CO safety and this equipment. Make sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an attached garage or adjacent to the residence.
What is the role of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in preventing CO poisoning?
CPSC staff worked closely with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to help develop the safety standard (UL 2034) for CO alarms. CPSC helps promote carbon monoxide safety by raising awareness of CO hazards and the need for correct use and regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances. CPSC staff also works with stakeholders to develop voluntary and mandatory standards for fuel-burning appliances and conducts independent research into CO alarm performance under likely home-use conditions.
Do some cities require that CO alarms be installed?
Many states and local jurisdictions now require CO alarms be installed in residences. Check with your local building code official to find out about the requirements in your location.
Should CO alarms be used in motor homes and other recreational vehicles?
CO alarms are available for boats and recreational vehicles and should be used. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association requires CO alarms in motor homes and in towable recreational vehicles that have a generator or are prepped for a generator.
To our customers regarding various phone services and Alarm Monitoring
There are many mixed messages regarding Verizon FiOS and Optimum voice services and how they work with alarm monitoring. We at GSI have taken the time to research what both companies have stated in writing and you can read it for yourself below:
________________________________________________________
Verizon – FiOS
(From: www.verizon.com, fine print at bottom of screen in FiOS section)
Verizon will install a battery back-up unit inside your garage or home. A 3-pronged grounded power outlet should be available nearby for the battery back-up unit. You are responsible for periodically replacing the backup battery. A battery unit will supply back-up power for standard voice service (but not Voice Over IP services), including E-911, for up to 8 hours. Backup battery does not supply power for Internet, VOIP, or video services. Not all Alarms (switch or private line), are compatible with fiber. A customer wanting a response activated alarm system should check with their specific alarm company for guidelines. It may be necessary to maintain/install a separate copper line into the home to support alarm service.
________________________________________________________
Cablevision – Optimum Voice
(From: Optimum Reference Guide)
Visit www.cablevision.com for more information
________________________________________________________
HOME SECURITY AND MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEMS
Customers who use Optimum Voice as a connection between their home security system and central station monitoring are responsible for testing their system with their alarm company at the time of installation and on an ongoing basis, and also must notify their alarm company of any change in their telephone number.
Cablevision does not support the use of any Optimum Voice service as a connection for emergency medical alert systems, high-security monitoring systems (UL 681 or similar) or fire alarm systems (UL 864 or similar). Customers must maintain alternate phone connection for such connections. We will provide a wire connection so that Optimum Voice services are available for use with your existing security system. Customer must follow-up with their alarm company to confirm that they have your correct and current phone number and to perform any periodic operational tests that your central station-monitoring provider might recommend. In the event of an outage, your Optimum Voice service will not be available to contact your central station-monitoring provider.
Based on the above, you can see that they have taken the stance that the customer must check with their alarm company for standard monitoring. Verizon says that they will install a battery backup that will support the voice service portion only for up to 8 hours. (Just for the record FiOS voice is NOT VoIP, it looks like and behaves like a POTS line but it is not powered from the Central Office as a traditional copper phone line). Cablevision actually goes further to say that they DO NOT support “emergency medical alert systems, high-security monitoring systems (UL 681 or similar) or fire alarm systems (UL 864 or similar)”.
Putting aside what we all know about code compliance and what is allowed by NFPA or any other standard, the service providers themselves are telling you not to use their service for critical monitoring applications. They are also deferring back to the alarm companies to determine if their service is acceptable for non-critical, or standard monitoring services.
Why False Alarms should be avoided?
Thousands of homeowners and business rely on sophisticated alarm systems to summon help for burglaries, fires and medical emergencies. Yet about 90 percent of calls sounded each year are false alarms, tripped inadvertently because of user error and faulty equipment.
As an alarm owner, you should know the severity of a false alarm dispatch is the same as falsely calling 911.
Most false alarms are caused either by user error or an environmental factor at the location – such as birds in a warehouse tripping a motion detector. So the best way to limit false alarms is through knowledge of your system and the location it is designed to protect. For instance, motion detectors shouldn’t be installed in areas where pets can roam.
In the event of a FIRE ALARM, NEVER assume that it is a false alarm. Treat every fire alarm as the real thing. Do not reset the alarm until the fire department arrives. They need to see where the problem is in case it is a malfunction.
Why are false alarms a problem? False alarms take police away from real emergencies. This embarrassing situation for you can endanger the responding authorities and the whole community.
False alarms can lead neighbors to ignore your alarm when it goes off.
False alarms make you reluctant to arm your system, exposing your home and property to undetected theft or fire.
False alarms can cost you money! Many cities and towns assess costly fines for excessive false alarms.
False alarms make your security system less reliable and credible.
________________________________________________________
Learn how YOU can Prevent False Alarms
Be comfortable using your system
Everyone who has keys to your home and business must know how to operate your security system.
Have all alarm system users practice the process to cancel an accidental alarm.
Keep in touch with your alarm company!
The bottom line is to be comfortable with your alarm system, and to communicate with your alarm company. Call with any questions, concerns, or changes in your household or business since the system was installed.
This section of the website is reserved for information that will be made available to customers. Follow the links to help you find what you are looking for.
If you need to contact GSI for any reason please visit our contact us section.