A smoke alarm is a device that detects (notices) smoke and sounds a loud alarm.
When properly installed, tested, and maintained, a smoke alarm gives you and your family an early warning of fire, so you have a better chance of getting out safely.
Why does every home need smoke alarms?
Smoke alarms save lives. Studies show that fewer people die or get seriously hurt in a fire when their homes have well-maintained smoke alarms.
You can die in a fire at home, especially when you're asleep and don't notice the fire.
More people die from breathing in smoke and poisonous gases (like carbon monoxide) from the fire than from being burned.
Fire can spread quickly. In just 3 minutes, the heat from a small fire can:
- cause everything in the room to catch on fire (called a flashover)
- create clouds of thick, black smoke
- melt clothes and burn your lungs
- create poisonous gases (like carbon monoxide and ammonia) and other irritants that can affect your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs
What types of smoke alarms are there?
There are 3 types of smoke alarms:
Ionization
- Detects fast, flaming fires.
- Detects smoke produced by flammable liquids, loosely packed light combustibles, and kitchen grease.
Photoelectric
- Detects slow-burning, smouldering fires.
- Detects smoke caused by cigarettes burning in furnishings and bedding.
Dual
- Includes the features of both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms in one device.
Since most home fires are a mixture of smoke types, any type of smoke alarm should be fine for the average home.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing, testing, and maintaining the smoke alarm.
How are smoke alarms powered?
Smoke alarms are powered by batteries or household electricity (hard-wired):
- Battery: 9-volt batteries usually need to be replaced at least once a year.
- Lithium battery: Some can last up to 10 years. Once installed and closed the battery can’t be taken out.
- Hard-wired: Uses the building’s power supply. It may have a battery back-up. It should be installed by a qualified electrician. New homes and buildings must have hard-wired smoke alarms.
Using both hard-wired and battery-powered alarms is recommended.
What are the laws about smoke alarms?
By law, smoke alarms sold in Canada must comply with the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) Standard for Smoke Alarms, CAN/ULC-S531.
ULC studies shows that both types of alarms (ionization and photoelectric) work equally well to detect smoke and sound a loud warning. Installing both types of smoke alarms or a dual smoke alarm in your home can make it safer.
Under Alberta Law, all dwelling units (any type of house, including rental units, dorms, hotels and motels, mobile homes, rooming and lodging houses) must have smoke alarms.
Alberta's Fire Code and Building Code have different codes for different types of buildings. Contact your local fire department or building branch if you have any questions about fire or building codes or how to install smoke alarms.
Where should smoke alarms be located?
There are 2 important things to remember when deciding where to put smoke alarms:
- Most fires start in the kitchen.
- Smoke alarms are to warn people asleep in bedrooms.
Install at least 1 smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement (but not in unfinished attics).
- Put smoke alarms in the hallways that lead to each bedroom.
- On floors without bedrooms, install the smoke alarm in or near each living area such as dens, living and family rooms.
- Put a smoke alarm on the ceiling at the bottom of any staircase leading to upper floors.
- Mount the smoke alarm high on walls or ceilings (smoke and hot gases rise).
- Place wall-mounted alarms at least 10 to 30 cm down from the ceiling.
- Place ceiling-mounted alarms at least 10 cm away from the nearest wall. If ceilings are pitched, install the alarm near the ceiling’s highest point.
Where shouldn’t smoke alarms be located?
Smoke alarms shouldn’t be put in kitchens, garages, or bathrooms. This is because dust, steam, and exhaust can set off nuisance alarms (see What are "nuisance" alarms? below).
Don’t install a smoke alarm near a window or register, where drafts can affect how it works.
How do I maintain a smoke alarm?
To properly maintain smoke alarms:
- Replace the batteries at least once a year.
- Keep smoke alarms clean, because dust and grime may affect how they work.
- Regularly dust or vacuum smoke alarms.
- Do not put paint, stickers, or other decorations on smoke alarms. Putting anything on smoke alarms could stop them from working properly.
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. If a smoke alarm stops working, replace it right away.
How do I make sure the smoke alarm is still working?
Smoke alarms can get old and stop working. It's important to test and maintain your smoke alarms regularly to make sure the smoke alarm is working.
- Press the test button at least once a month to make sure that power is going to the alarm and that it will go off when it detects smoke.
- Do a smoke test by blowing out a candle and letting its smoke drift toward the alarm. The alarm should sound within 20 seconds. You can turn off the alarm by fanning the smoke away.
If you rent your home and your smoke alarms are not working, tell your landlord right away.
What should I do if the alarm goes off?
Every household should have a
fire escape plan:
- Have a home escape plan and make sure that everyone knows what to do.
- Practise the pre-planned fire drill at least twice a year.
- Have 2 ways to get out of every room.
- Decide on a meeting place outside the home.
What are “nuisance” alarms?
A smoke alarm going off when there is no real danger of a fire is called a nuisance alarm.
Some people will take out the batteries or disconnect their smoke alarms because of nuisance alarms.
Don't do this. It puts everyone in the home in danger, especially at night when you're sleeping.
If the alarm goes off often when there's no fire danger, try to figure out the problem. Below are some reasons for nuisance alarms:
Possible cause |
Reason | What to do |
| Location | Installed near the kitchen or bathroom, where smoke or steam can trigger the alarm. | Don’t install smoke alarms near the kitchen or bathrooms. |
| Wear and tear | Any smoke alarm can wear out. Your smoke alarms shouldn't be older than 10 years. | Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. |
| Poor maintenance | There may be more false alarms in a dirty or greasy area. Dirt, dust, and cobwebs can collect in the smoke alarm and make it more sensitive. | Regularly dust and vacuum smoke alarms. |
| Installed too early | Alarms installed too early during construction or renovation can get dirt or dust inside them. | Install smoke alarms during construction and keep them covered, or install a new one after the work is finished. |
