Specification

5. Mount fire extinguishers on a wall 3 1/2 to 5 feet above the floor. The location
should be near an exit or an escape route from the room.
How do I select the right smoke alarms and fire extinguishers for my
home?
First, establish how many you will need and where you will install each alarm and
extinguisher. Once you know which rooms will have smoke alarms and fire
extinguishers, you can determine which features are best suited for that area.
Always choose a product which carries a standards approval symbol (such as
ETL or UL). This will assure you that the product has passed many stringent
tests and will offer quality protection.
What types of smoke alarms are there?
There are two basic types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Both
are effective at detecting smoke, yet each has a unique detecting system. Each
type of detector also comes as AC-operated smoke alarms or battery-operated
smoke alarms. Some AC alarms even come with a battery back-up system.
Additional options can include an escape light, silencing button, or remote control
mute feature.
What types of fire extinguishers are there?
Fire extinguishers are categorized by ratings. These ratings determine the size
and type of fire that the extinguisher can successfully put out. Fire can be divided
into three categories: A, B, or C. An "A" type fire is primarily wood, paper and
fabric. "B" type fires are primarily flammable liquids (such as gasoline) and oil
based. Finally, "C" type fires are electrical in nature.
The number preceding the A, B, or C rating determines how big of fire the
extinguisher can put out. For example, a 10-B:C extinguisher would be able to
handle a 25 foot square fire of either flammable liquid or electrical origin. A 5-B:C
extinguisher could handle a 12.5 square foot fire that is flammable liquid or
electrical based.
How do I maintain my smoke alarms and fire extinguishers once they are
installed?
Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are relatively easy to maintain; yet,
improper maintenance is the biggest reason smoke detectors and fire
extinguishers fail. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU MAINTAIN ALL YOUR
SMOKE ALARMS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: