Conference moira::parenting_v3

    YOu should probably ask this in HOME_WORK.  (sorry, not sure of the
    node).
    

We, too, have the built-in smoke detectors.  Our house and the detectors were
brand new when we moved in, and I can tell you ours NEVER worked properly.
Only our problem is the exact opposite as yours : ours kept going off for
no reason whatsoever.  In the middle of the night, or while watching TV,
or whenever.  They would scare the DICKENS out of us and the dog.  They would
scream for a few seconds and then shut off.  Finally we turned off the circuit
breaker that feeds them.  I plan to buy battery operated ones real soon.

Our next-door-neighbor is a fireman, and I asked him if he knew anyone who 
could fix them.  He said he has heard of more people who have the built-in
detectors that don't have them work properly.  He was the one who suggested
I buy battery operated ones and forget about the built-in ones.

� �ori �

P.S. you might try testing them by holding a candle or match right under one.
I don't know if that would provide enough smoke, tho.

    From what I am told the smoke detector has a little radioactive
    element in it that gives of radioactive particles which are detected
    by a receptor nearby.  If there is smoke in the house, the smoke
    particles block the radioactive particles, and when the detector
    doesn't sense them it sets off the alarm.  Dust can cause the same
    effect so try blowing on the fire alarm.  Ours was going off a couple
    of times a day and this seemed to stop it.
    	Linda

    
    About battery operated alarms - I was told by the NH building inspector 
    that battery operated ones are no up to code in rental properties.
    (ie. if an new alarm is to be installed, it has to be hooked up to the
    house current). I would try to get the build-in ones fixed instead of
    replacing them with battery operated ones and check the local
    building code if you really want to replace them.
    
    We have had build-in alarms in 2 houses and they work fine.
    
    Eva. 

    
    Oh and also check with your insurance company to see if replacing
    with battery operated alarm would affect your policy.
    
    
    
    
    Eva.

Discussed in great detail in SERENA::HOME_WORK (KP7 or SELECT to add to
your notebook).  Look at note 1111 for a directory.

    RE: .0
    
    There were a number of detectors that were removed from the shelves due
    to problems with them.  Send me mail with the type of detector that you
    have as well as the location(s) of them.
    
    One of the mosst common problems with detectors going off too often is
    the detector in the attic space being a SMOKE detector rather than a
    heat detector.  Since most attics have exposed insulation, small glass
    particles are constantly moving around.  This can cause the detector to
    go off.  A solution to this (might be in the code by now) is to replace
    the smoke detector in the attic with a heat detector.  The local fire
    inspector can tell you what the temp requirements are for this.  The
    heat type looks like the smoke detector and connects to the same system
    with an adapter.
    
    Dan

    My husband went through the Mass State Fire Academy and works on our
    local department.  His thoughts on this are "I hope those folks that
    have the built-in models are sure they have battery backup too". 
    Electrical problems cause a great many house fires - if there's an
    interruption in the service how can the detector let you know that
    there's a problem?  It's not too hard to remember to check/change the
    batteries - try to do it when you do other "out of the ordinary" things
    such as pulling out the holiday decorations (put a note in the box to
    remind you if needed).  This doesn't mean that the built-in ones are
    bad or ineffective, but you may want to think about some contingencies
    as well.  When we were in an apartment with the built-in kind, we put
    up the battery kind just to be sure.  Our house has the battery models.
      Conni

    RE: .-1
    
    Built-in versions of smoke detectors are REQUIRED for new construction
    by code.  Battery backup while not required is usually recommended.
    
    Dan

    Our house (built almost 3 years ago) has built-in detectors. I also
    think the detectors themselves have a back-up battery in them. There is
    no way to test the battery except by cutting the power first. You just
    have to remember to change the batteries periodically. 
          
    Luckily, my son's daycare goes over the rules on what to do if the 
    alarm goes off there. I discovered it one day when the detector near the
    kitchen went off and he started saying "when the bells go off, line up
    at the door and we will all walk out side together. Everyone must wait
    by the fence". I think they have them trained pretty well. We also talk
    about the fire detectors since he's aware that they go off (the heat
    sensitive one is always going off when I broil something) and he knows
    what to do pretty much what to do.
    
    Andrea

    I have a "helpful hint from Heloise" as to changing alarm batteries -
    change them on your birthday and wish yourself a happy birthday!
    
    
    Lorrie
    

    When we bought our 7yr-old house (in Mass), one of the requirements for
    the mortgage was that the house be equipped with both electric and
    battery-powered smoke detectors. In fact, the local fire department had
    to come in and verify/test them, and signed a statement to that effect.
    
    I guess I don't trust the electric one, since smoke from the oven has
    often set off the battery-powered model yet not set off the electric
    one. To get some piece of mind, I've installed a battery model near the
    electric one, as well as an additional battery model elsewhere in the
    house (Total: 4 battery models and 1 electric in an average-sized split
    ranch). IMO, at $10-$20 per unit, it's a small price to pay for the extra 
    peace of mind.
    
    Freddie

    I have posted a note in TOOK::FIRE_RESCUE_EMS asking for the opinion of
    the firefighter types to respond to this.  I don't mind handling
    stretchers and medical things, but as far as fire things, that's what I
    have a Firefighter/husband for.  (I probably couldn't handle a fire
    extinguisher if I had to!)  My (personal not hubby's) opinion is that a
    battery backup detector can't hurt anything.  They are cheap enough. 
    We too have hardwired detectors, the house is 15 years old, and have
    filled the house up with both cooking smoke and wood stove smoke in the
    cellar, but never had the alarm go off except when we found the "test"
    button.(It IS an awful "Claxton" noise, like the ones you hear in the
    facilities that sound like a fog horn)  It swear it would vibrate me
    out of bed if it ever went off!
    
    As one of the notes said, there is a MA state law which does require you
    to have at least one working smoke detector, any kind, prior to passing
    papers on a house.  A humourous side note came last year when my inlaws
    sold an old family house (inherited) to a construction company, who planned
    to demolish it and make a parking lot. (The bulldozer was already parked
    in the driveway)  They had to go to the house, put a $19.95 smoke
    detector on one of the ceilings, have it tested and get a certificate
    to sell the house. (no they didn't get it back, the house was leveled
    the next day)
    
    A question, I saw a smoke detector geared to kids in a children's
    furniture store on Main St. Webster (MA)  It was like a plastic plaque
    shaped like familiar things like dalmation with a fire hat, a fire
    hydrant, a fire engine.  It sold for something like $15 to 20., has
    anyone got one, did you find it worth the investment, what's the sound
    like?
    
    Lyn