If you’re looking for fire protection in Las Vegas, the best place to start is with a Las Vegas fire alarm system you can trust. If you’re in the process of building or renovating a home, then it’s the best time for you to shop for the best fire alarm system in Las Vegas and this article should help inform you on how to choose a fire alarm for your Las Vegas home.
But if you’re moving into a home that’s already built and equipped with a fire alarm, you’ll need to know what to check for to make sure your fire alarm is functional and safe. As a company experienced in securing the best fire protection for dozens of homes, Signal Fire is here to help you with a few tips on how to check if your fire alarm system in Las Vegas will keep your home safe.
Check the label
The first thing to check when inspecting your Las Vegas fire alarm system is the label on the device and the packaging (if available). Your fire alarms and smoke detectors should have a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL (Intertek’s Electrical Testing Labs) certification. This certification tells you that your fire alarm or smoke detector has meets strict safety standards and has undergone rigorous testing.
You also want to look at the manufacturing date. These units lose efficacy over time and are suggested to be replaced every 10 years. If your fire alarm system is old, it may be worth replacing it.
When choosing a new system or evaluating the current one, also take note of the brand. While there is no one brand that is the best, having a fire alarm from a reputable brand can help ensure its quality and safety.
See what the power source is
Fire alarms and smoke detectors can either be hard-wired into the home’s electrical system or they can be battery powered. If your Las Vegas fire alarm system is hard-wired, double check to see all components are working. Also check if each unit has a back-up battery in case power goes out.
If your fire alarm system is battery powered, know when the batteries were last changed. If it’s been more than 2 years, you should replace them ASAP. If your system comes with a built-in battery, this should last about 10 years (or the life of the smoke detector/fire alarm), so check the manufacturing date to see its age.
Find out what kind of sensor it uses
The smoke detectors in your fire alarm system will use either of the two kinds of sensors: ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization sensors are best for detecting smoke from fast, flaming fires and are usually more sensitive.
On the other hand, photoelectric sensors are good for smoldering fires like a cigarette butt left on a sofa.
You can have both kinds of sensors and place them in different rooms. You’ll want a photoelectric one in your kitchen or wherever smoke & steam is common, so you won’t get false alarms from burnt food or boiling water. Everywhere else, you can consider an ionization sensor so you can be alerted for even the smallest flames.
Evaluate the position and location of alarms and smoke detectors
Where your alarms and smoke detectors are located is the last and probably most important check. There should be smoke detectors on each floor of your Las Vegas home and in rooms where the door is normally kept closed.
Fire alarms should be heard (or visible if it uses strobe lights) from every room, especially sleeping quarters and rooms with closed doors.
Essentially, the best fire alarm system in Las Vegas will be able to detect fires from every room and alert everyone wherever they are at home.
Get a professional evaluation from Signal Fire
If you think your fire alarm system isn’t quite up to par and need fire protection in Las Vegas, contact Signal Fire. We’re committed to providing service excellence to make sure every client has the best fire alarm system in Las Vegas.
We can help install, upgrade, or repair your fire alarms and smoke detectors; all while keeping your Las Vegas home and family safe. Request a quote on our homepage and keep your loved ones safe while experiencing the best service any fire protection company has to offer.