Smoke alarms give you enough time to evacuate a burning building while decreasing your risk for injury and death. If you don’t have smoke alarms in your home, you’ll want to hire a residential electrician to install smoke detectors as soon as possible.
Likewise, all commercial buildings need to be safe and up-to-code. Here’s how smoke alarms keep you safe during emergencies.
1. Improve Fire Safety
According to the Department of Homeland Security, it can take as little as 5 minutes for a house to be engulfed in flames. This means that every second counts while escaping a burning house. While no one likes to think about their home catching on fire, it’s important to install smoke detectors before tragedy strikes.
A smoke detector keeps you and your family safe 24 hours a day. That way, if a fire breaks out in the middle of the night, the sound of the alarm will wake you up in time so you can safely escape the smoke and flames.
Keep in mind that without it could take a while before you start smelling smoke. For example, a child playing with matches may hide the evidence in a clothes hamper where it starts a fire. An electrical fire could also start while you and your family are asleep. Smoke detectors save lives because they let you know there’s a fire as soon as possible.
The sooner people know about a fire, the sooner they can safely evacuate and call 911. If your commercial building has combustible liquids or gases (like propane), you’ll especially want to install a fire alarm system and have it regularly tested by an industrial electrician.
READ MORE: 5 Electrical Tips to Keep Your Family Safe >>
2. Avoid Liability
If you own a commercial building, you are liable for any injuries or deaths that occur if there is no fire alarm present. To keep your building code-compliant, you’ll need to invest in fire alarm installation and have your system routinely inspected by a commercial electrician.
You’ll also want to make sure that the rest of your building complies with fire code by having exit and emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and other fire protection products.
3. Comply with Fire Code
Protect yourself legally by making sure your building is fire code-compliant and safe for its occupants. Keeping your building up to code is an investment that pays off in the long run.
You will need to make sure that your building adheres to standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), state and local fire codes, and your insurance. An electrical contractor will be able to install the right type of fire alarm system for your home or commercial building.
4. Prevent Severe Fire Damage
The sooner people are able to evacuate a burning building, the sooner they can call 911. Whether you own a home or commercial building, your main concerns will be to get everyone out safely and limit structural damage. When fire trucks arrive sooner to the scene of a fire, this helps reduce fire damage and the subsequent costs to repair it.
5. Enjoy Peace of Mind
While we always hope for the best, it’s also important to prepare for the worst. This means making sure your home or commercial building is protected by a quality fire alarm system.
A licensed electrician will be able to install and test smoke detectors so you’ll be prepared in the event of a fire. You’ll feel more peace of mind knowing that your alarm system prevents significant fire damage and saves lives.
Want to Learn More?
Our will be able to help you find the best smoke detectors for your home or commercial building. We are also able to install carbon monoxide detectors. To schedule a service visit, or learn more about our electrical services, call Flat River Electric at (616) 987-0596.
