Last Updated on June 7, 2022 by admin
The report your home inspector provides you is a general overview of the property. Although the inspector’s report may contain a lengthy list of things, it should not mention whether or not the smoke detectors in a home are working. Using a report to determine whether or not smoke detectors are working gives the home buyer a false sense of security. It is your responsibility to verify the status of smoke detectors prior to buying a home.
Hard-wired smoke detectors are more responsive to smoldering fires
Smoke alarms can be either battery-powered or hard-wired. Battery-powered detectors are easier to install and do not depend on power, although a backup battery is available. Newer smoke detectors use lithium batteries, which last for up to 10 years. Replaceable batteries are vulnerable to tampering and can be disconnected during a false alarm.
Some hard-wired smoke detectors feature primary power that comes from the home’s electrical system. Others feature a back-up battery, which can be a yearly replacement battery or a sealed battery. It is important to replace smoke detectors made by the same manufacturer. Otherwise, your electrician may need to install a different plug. However, they are worth the extra money.
Photoelectric smoke detectors are more responsive to smoldering fires
In addition to their better detection of smoldering fires, photoelectric smoke detectors also respond to heat and infrared. As such, they are more effective at alerting occupants of a burning building. Nevertheless, they do not respond to smoldering fires as quickly as ionization smoke detectors do. It is important to understand why photoelectric smoke alarms are more effective than ionization ones.
Although photoelectric smoke detectors are the most common and reliable type of alarms, you should consider purchasing a dual-sensor alarm for your bedroom. This will protect you from both fast-moving and smoldering fires. Photoelectric smoke alarms tend to be more expensive, but they can differentiate between cooking smoke and steam. They can reduce nuisance alarms. You can also purchase combo smoke/co alarms or 10-year battery alarms.
Ionization smoke detectors are more responsive to smoldering fires
Photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors both respond to the smoke from burning materials, but ionization smoke detectors are more effective against flaming fires. Smoke alarms should be interconnected, Test and Tag monthly to ensure they’re functioning properly. To ensure you’re protecting your home, make sure your alarms are all from the same manufacturer and are in working condition.
Ionization smoke detectors are more responsive in cases of fast-flame fires, but they respond at least 15 minutes slower than photoelectric ones. In addition, they sometimes fail to respond at all. The vast majority of residential fire fatalities are caused by smoke inhalation. In fact, more than two-thirds of them occur during the night. Detectors should be installed on every level of the home.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
In lab studies, radon causes DNA and cellular damage, and both of these processes are characteristic of cancer cells. Several national and international agencies evaluate the risks of various substances found in the environment, including radon. The American Cancer Society evaluates the risks of radon based on research. However, no one has confirmed that radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
The mortality rates from radon-induced lung cancer are similar among non-smokers, although the mortality rate is higher in females. The study is a meta-analysis of 55 studies examining the association between environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer among non-smokers. However, the researchers stressed that concomitant exposure to indoor radon and tobacco smoke should be incorporated into the risk assessment. In addition, some epidemiological studies show a synergistic effect between radon and tobacco smoke.
