Every Home Needs a Working Smoke Alarm
Ionisation or Optical
Alarms for the Hearing Impaired
Sprinkler Systems
Every Home Needs a Working Smoke Alarm
If there is a fire in your home, a smoke alarm will immediately warn you, giving you and everyone in your home time to escape safely. Smoke alarms are cheap, available in most high street stores, and are easy to fit and maintain. if you live in Bedfordshire and Luton, we will supply and fit smoke alarms for you absoluteley FREE.
Call 0800 043 5042 or alternatively e-mail your Name, Full Address including postcode and contact number to hfs@bedsfire.com and we will shortly be in contact to arrange your Home Fire Safety Check and Smoke Alarm provision.
There are a variety of smoke alarms to choose from. This section lists the types of smoke alarm which are most commonly available.
This is a general guide covering the different types of alarms available, whichever model you choose, the most important thing is to make sure it meets British Standard (BS) 5446 Part 1 and preferably carries the British Standard Kitemark or PCB 'Horseshoe' mark.
Ionisation or optical?
There are two main types of smoke alarm - ionisation alarms and optical alarms.
- Ionisation alarms are the cheapest and the most readily available. They are very sensitive to flaming fires, (ones that burn fiercely such as chip-pan fires) and they will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick.
- Optical alarms are more expensive and more effective at detecting slow-burning fires (such as smouldering foam-filled furniture and overheated wiring). Optical alarms are less likely to go off accidentally, and so are best for ground-floor hallways and for homes on one level.
As both slow-burning and flaming fires are common, for the best protection you should install one of each. However, if you can't have both it's still safer to have one smoke alarm than none at all.
Alarms for the Hearing Impaired
If you have difficulties hearing, there are special smoke alarms to warn you if there's a fire and to give you time to get out safely. These alarms are designed specifically with these requirements in mind. If there's a fire, you'll be alerted instantly by the smoke alarm's flashing light, whilst a vibrating pad provides you with a further alert should you be in bed asleep. If you require one of these alarms and live in Bedfordshire or Luton call us now on 0800 043 5042.
Sprinkler Systems
Domestic Sprinklers can provide a package of fire protection for homes which not only protects lives but has the added advantage of reducing the degree of damage to the property and the contents both from the effects of the fire and possibly from the water that may come from fire hoses needed to extinguish a fire.
Smoke alarms are strongly advocated, but their actual potential against fire can be of limited value to people who are very young and people who have limited mobility. Current statistics have indicated it is these groups that are given limited protection by smoke alarms and who are those most at risk from fire in their home. Residential sprinkler systems could close this gap in life protection and, coupled with working smoke alarms, offer a comprehensive life protection package.
Some Facts about Sprinklers
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No one in the UK has ever died as a result of a fire in a building with a working sprinkler system
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Only the sprinkler heads in the vicinity of the fire actually operate
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Sprinkler heads can be completely resealed
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Sprinkler systems do not normally actuate during a false alarm, they will only normally operate in the event of an actual fire
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Sprinklers save lives and property
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Sprinklers are not difficult, unsightly or expensive to install in homes
Don't Drown in Toxic Smoke: -
Fire Kills key statistics and tips (.PDF)