How to Install a Fire Alarm

If you are one of those lucky people who are building a new home from the ground up, installing a complete fire safety system won't be difficult to accomplish. Your architect can draw one into the original plans so that your builder will be able to install it while the walls are still open. If you buy an existing home, however, you won't have this option. In fact, when you move into the house there may be no fire safety equipment on the premises at all. If that's the case, it will be up to you to buy and install the equipment you need to keep your family safe.

Fire and smoke alarms both detect fires but by using different technology. A smoke alarm has a smoke sensor which can detect even small amounts of smoke and sound the alarm. A fire alarm contains heat sensors which detect rises in temperature before going off. These are both important additions to any home. If you don't have any, make sure you take care of this deficiency as soon as possible. In the store you may get confused about the different models and capabilities. If you need it, ask for help. By looking around you may also find a rack of pamphlets which will explain smoke and fire alarm systems to you.

If you still have questions after trying all these tactics, you can call your local fire station for information. They'll be happy to come into your home and advise you on how to best set up your fire and smoke alarm system. They'll tell you how many alarms you should have and where they should be located. They can also give you tips on which alarms will be best for your situation. When you purchase your alarms, they will come with installation instructions.

Installing Your New Fire Alarms

You only have to get a few basic tools together, and you'll be ready to start installing your fire alarms. You should be able to do the job with a small drill, a screwdriver, a flashlight, and a small ladder. Most units only require that you drill two holes in order to secure the mounting hardware to the ceiling.

The next step is to remove the metal mount from the package as well as the screws you'll need to install it. Screw the mount securely into place as it will be the thing that holds up the alarm itself.

Finally, you're going to install the alarm on the mount you just secured to your wall or ceiling. If you need to be able to see better in order to accomplish this feat, use your flashlight.

Before you consider the job finished, wiggle the alarm to see if it moves. If so, you need to spend time retightening the holder and the alarm until everything is tight and secure. If you don't do this, your alarm could by lying on the floor by morning. Now's the time to test the unit per the manufacturer's instructions, and hopefully everything will be set to go.