Wireless Home  (490-2010)        Safety Issues        Faxback Doc. # 8930
Alarm System

NFPA Recommendations

The National Fire Protection Association's Standard 74, Chapter 2, reads
as follows:

2-1.1  This standard requires the following detectors within the family
       unit.

2-1.1.1  Smoke detectors shall be installed outside of each separate
         sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on 
         each additional story of the family living unit, including the
         basement and excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics.
         (See Note 1.)

Note 1-  The provisions of 2-1.1.1 represent the minimum number of
         detectors required by this standard.  It is recommended that the
         householders consider the use of additional smoke or heat detectors
         for increased protection of areas separated by a door from the
         areas protected by the required smoke detectors under 2-1.1.1
         above.  The recommended additional areas are:  living room, dining
         room, bedroom(s), kitchen, attic (finished or unfinished, furnace 
         room, utility room, basement, integral or attached garage, and 
         hallways not covered by 2-1.1.2  For family living units with one
         or more split levels (i.e., adjacent levels with less than one 
         full story separation between levels).  A smoke detector required
         by 2-1.1. 1 shall suffice for an adjacent lower level, including
         basements.

Exception:  Where there is an intervening door between one level, a smoke
            detector shall be installed on the lower level.

2-2 Alarm Sounding devices.  Each detection device shall cause the
operation of an alarm which shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over
background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.  The tests of
audibility shall be conducted with all household equipment which may be in
operation at night in full operation.

Examples of such equipment are window air conditioners and room
humidifiers.

General Fire Protection and Evacuation Information

Properly installed and maintained smoke and heat detectors are essential to
a good home security program.  Your security program should also include a
review of fire hazards.  Eliminate dangerous conditions whenever possible.
When fire strikes, a prepared and practiced escape plan can mean the
difference between life and death.  Call your local fire department and ask
them to help you in this regard.

Consider and discuss these safety guidelines:

*  Be sure all occupants are familiar with the fire alarm signal.

*  Draw a floor plan and plan your escape route.  Have fire drills often
   Practice your escape.

*  Doors can mean escape or death.  Test them with your hands before
   flinging them open.  If they feel warm, fire can be walled up just
   behind them.  Leave the door closed and find another escape route.

*  Do not waste time collecting possessions after a fire starts.  Alert all
   occupants and leave the building.

*  If you are trapped inside, stay close to the floor, cover your mouth
   with cloth, and conserve your breath as you crawl to safety.

*  Pull an alarm box handle if you pass one on the way out of the building.

*  Call the fire department from outside the building.

*  After you escape, move to and stay in a prearranged meeting place.

*  Never re-enter a burning building.

(SMC/jlc-03/22/94)