Smoke Alarm Installation Manual
Provided by Fire Safety Solutions for Oklahomans with Disabilities
A Joint Project of Oklahoma ABLE Tech and Fire Protection Publications at Oklahoma State University
Word Version
Table of Contents
Introduction letter
Flow Chart
Installer Guidelines
Installer Checklist
Installation Form
Social Etiquette Guide
June 24, 2005
Dear Oklahoma Smoke Alarm Partner:
Thank you for helping us install smoke alarms. This project is Fire Safety Solutions for Oklahomans with Disabilities, and is funded in part through the Fire Prevention and Safety U.S. Fire Administration Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. It is designed to make the homes of Oklahomans with disabilities more fire safe. This project is a collaboration between Fire Protection Publications and Oklahoma ABLE Tech at Oklahoma State University.
Through this project, we are providing a free smoke alarm(s), installation, and home escape planning that meet the needs of individuals in Oklahoma with disabilities. This Installation Manual includes documents vital to the success of this program. Included is the Etiquette Guide to assist you in communicating and interacting with people with disabilities. Please review each section of the Installation Manual to familiarize yourself with the program. Also included is a copy of the home fire safety messages that you will review and leave with the consumer. These messages cover the home fire hazards that people are most likely to encounter and people with disabilities have reviewed the messages. Although you will answer questions that the guides do not cover, it is important to be consistent with the messages in these guides. Therefore, it is very important that you review the messages before arriving at the consumers¿ homes.
You may be familiar with commonly used single station battery operated residential smoke alarms. This project is installing smoke alarms with features that are appropriate for people with disabilities. There are two alarms¿one for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and a different alarm for people with mobility and visual disabilities. Please familiarize yourself with these alarms and read the manufacturer instruction manual for the smoke alarm(s) you are installing.
Attached to this letter is a one-page description of the project. This page gives you additional details about the project. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. If you have administrative questions, please call Cindy Finkle at (405) 744-8301. If you have technical questions, please call Tom Hughes at (405) 744-4258.
If there are other people with disabilities in your community that need a smoke alarm, the application is available from Oklahoma ABLE Tech on line at http://okabletech.okstate.edu or call 1-888-885-5588. Thank you for helping make Oklahomans more fire safe!
Nancy Trench
Assistant Director
Fire Protection Publications
Oklahoma State University
Flowchart of Events in Fire Safety Solutions for Oklahomans with Disabilities Program (view chart also in Word or PDF)
Key: Graphics in Red represent: Fire Protection Publications and Oklahoma Able Tech
Graphics in Green represent: Fire Department Partners and other Partners
Graphics in blue represent: People with Disabilities
Smoke Alarm Installation Guidelines
Who to contact with questions? If you have any questions, please call:
Administrative Questions: Cindy Finkle 405-744-8301
Technical Questions: Tom Hughes 405-744-4258
Go In Pairs
The project normally requires that there be at least 2 (two) installers and or representatives from your local department present anytime you are with a consumer or enter a consumer¿s home. This is for your safety as well as the consumers. If this policy is modified for any installations, you will be notified by FPP.
Tools
The following is a list of tool that you will need for installations:
Goggles, or protective glasses
- Flat-head & Phillips-head screwdrivers
- Drill (with small bit if a pilot hole is needed)
- Ladder
- Vacuum
- Assortment of screws with anchors
- TV Remote Control (First Alert SA302 installation only)
- Box Cutter
- Assortment of Sharpie Markers, Fine Tip and regular (or other permanent type markers)
- Multi-Tool (Leatherman type tool)
- Smoke Alarm Installation Guidelines
Home Fire Safety Messages
The following is a list of information that you will receive from OSU that you will need to take with you for the installations. The DVD, tape, or alternative formats will only be sent to you when requested by the consumer in their application.
- Installation Checklist for Installer
- Smoke Alarm Installation Form
- Home Escape Plan Grid Sheet
- OSU business cards for follow up questions
- Home Fire Safety Messages (specific for the consumer) and
- Home Fire Safety DVD or Tape for people who are deaf
- Home Fire Safety Messages in alternative formats, Braille, large type, or audio tape when requested
Dress Code - The proper dress code for this project is business casual or department uniform:
- Departmental Uniform or
- Slacks, no jeans
- Shoes, no flip-flops
- Collared shirt, no tee shirts
- Cleanly shaven
- Name tag and or department ID
Know what to say - When you arrive at the consumer¿s home be prepared to introduce yourself. Tell them who you are, the agency that you are representing, and that you are here to install a smoke alarm as part of the Fire Safety Solutions for Oklahomans with Disabilities Project with Fire Protection Publications and ABLE Tech at OSU. It is important to establish rapport with the consumer.
General Safety - Please follow general safety practices when installing the smoke alarm:
- Wear protective glasses when drilling a hole
- Do not stand on a chair or stool. Use a ladder.
Main Points for Installation
- Use the Installation Checklist for Installer as a step-by-step guide. This checklist will walk you through the installation process.
- Smoke alarms must be located outside of each sleeping area in the home. You should place the smoke alarm outside of the sleeping area(s) and on every level of the home following the in the manufacturer instructions. Please refer to the manufacturer¿s user¿s or owners manual included with the smoke alarm(s) you are installing.
SPECIAL NOTE for Mobile Homes and RV¿s
Smoke alarms will be installed in the following locations:
In all sleeping rooms.
Outside of each separate sleeping area.
On each additional story of the manufactured home
- Many older mobile homes (especially those built before 1978) have little or no insulation in the walls or ceilings. If the mobile home is not well insulated, or if you are unsure of the amount of insulation, it is important to install smoke alarms on inside walls only and not on the ceiling or an outside wall.
- Avoid installing a smoke alarm in dead air space by following the illustrations that are in Appendix A (page 7 of Word document and PDF) attached to these Installation Guidelines.
Consumer Education
- Let the consumer see and hold the smoke alarm before you install it.
- Explain that the smoke alarm is battery powered:
- The Silent Call smoke alarm has two batteries that must be replaced every year or when the low battery signal notifies you to replace the batteries
- The First Alert SA302 smoke alarm has a 10-year Lithium battery. This battery should operate for the ten-year life of the smoke alarm. If the low battery signal notifies you of a low battery contact the manufacturer.
- Explain that the smoke alarm provides early warning of a fire at night ¿ the smoke reaches the smoke alarm before it reaches you and alerts you so you can escape.
- Explain how to clean the detector. The detector can be dusted or vacuumed.
- Review the Home Fire Safety Messages document with the consumer.
- Create a home escape plan with the consumer and their family. Recommend practicing the plan.
- Use a broad tip marker to draw the floor plan and the two ways out of each sleeping room. This makes the drawing more visible and easier to understand.
- Write the local fire department emergency number on the home escape plan.
Completing the Installation
- Clean up.
- Complete the Installation Checklist.
- Complete the Smoke Alarm Installation Form with the consumer.
- Ask the consumer if they have any additional questions or concerns.
- Leave the following information with the consumer:
- Home Fire Safety Messages document and the DVD or tape for consumers who are deaf and if they requested the messages in an alternative format
- Home Escape Plan with Fire Department Emergency Number
- Smoke Alarm Manufactures User¿s/Owners Manual
- OSU business cards for follow up questions
- Say good-bye to the consumer and return the two forms (Installation Checklist and Installation Form) to OSU.
Appendix A Smoke Alarm Installation to Avoid Dead Air Space
Smoke alarm placement high on the sidewall or on the ceiling to avoid the dead air space.
The graphic above shows the measurements for placing a smoke alarm on the sidewall or ceiling of a home, to avoid dead air space. According to the graphic, the smoke alarm should be placed either on the ceiling (at least 4 inches away from the corner where the sidewall meets the ceiling), or, on the sidewall (at least 4 inches, but not more than 12 inches, below the corner where the sidewall meets the ceiling). Placing the smoke alarm directly in the corner is never acceptable.
Smoke alarm placement for sloped ceiling - peaked type.
The graphic above shows the measurements for placing a smoke alarm in a home with a peaked ceiling, to avoid dead air space. According to the graphic, the smoke alarm should be placed on either side of the peaked ceiling, more than 4 inches, but less than 36 inches away from the top of the peak. The smoke alarm should never be placed in the upper 4 inches of the peak.
Smoke alarm placement for sloped ceiling ¿ shed type
The graphic above shows the measurements for placing a smoke alarm in a home with a sloped, shed type ceiling. According to the graphic, the smoke alarm should be placed either on the sloped ceiling, or on the side wall. If the alarm is placed on the sidewall, it should be place more than 4 inches, but not more than 12 inches below the corner where the ceiling meets the sidewall. If the alarm is placed on the ceiling, it should be more than 4 inches, but no more than 36 inches away from the corner where the ceiling and the sidewall meet. The smoke alarm should never be placed in the upper four inches, where the wall and ceiling meet.
Installation Checklist for Installers
Please complete one copy of this form for each residence in which you install a smoke alarm(s)
Installer Information:Name:
Date of Installation:
Consumer Information:
Last Name:
First Name:
Street Address:
City:
Before Arrival:
Make sure you have reviewed and are familiar with the following materials:
Etiquette Guide
Smoke Alarm Manufacturers User¿s or Owners Manual
Home Fire Safety Messages specific for the consumer. Some consumers may have requested the messages in an alternative format, if so OSU will send them to you prior to the installation. These will be the same messages in a different format such as Braille or large print.
Make sure you know the type of disability(s) of the consumer.
After Arrival
Verify you are at the correct address and the correct home
Introduce yourself and explain that you are here to install the smoke alarm(s) as arranged by OSU.
?Give appropriate materials to consumer: Smoke Alarm Manufacturer User¿s or Owners Manual, and Fire Safety Messages, and the DVD or tape for people who are deaf.
?Show the smoke alarm to the consumer¿let them look at and hold the smoke alarm.
?Identify the location(s) outside of all sleeping area(s) and on each level of the home to install the alarm(s) Note: there are additional alarms required for mobile homes.
?Write the date of the installation on the back of each smoke alarm before you install.
?Install the smoke alarm(s).
?Clean up any mess made by installing the alarm ¿ vacuum drywall dust, etc.
?Explain and show how the alarm(s) work.
Silent Call ¿ smoke alarm sends wireless signal to receiver and sets off strobe and shaker.
First Alert ¿ alarm can be tested and silenced with television remote control.
?Show how to test the smoke alarm and have the consumer test the alarm while you are there.
Silent Call ¿ hold the test button for at least 20 seconds till alarm sounds, check to see strobe and/or vibrator work
First Alert ¿ using the consumer¿s TV remote control, point the remote at the smoke alarm and hold the volume or channel button down for 3-5 seconds. This will activate the alarm.
?Discuss the importance of a home escape plan and review the materials for the home escape plan with the consumer.
?Verify the local fire emergency number. Use their phone book if necessary to find the number. It should be in the first few pages. Write the number on the top of the home escape plan.
?Create the home escape plan by drawing a floor plan of the home and marking two ways out of each sleeping area.
?Recommend practicing the plan (it is important to discuss opening windows and moving any furniture that blocks an escape route).
?Tell the consumer if they have any questions after you leave they can call or email.
Make sure the consumer has OSU business cards for follow up questions.
Technical questions: Tom Hughes 405-744-4258 tahughes@osufpp.org
Administrative questions: Cindy Finkle 405-744-8301 CFinkle@osufpp.org
?Explain that someone from Oklahoma ABLE Tech at OSU will contact them in a few months for a follow-up survey.
?Complete the Installation Form.
Time of Arrival:
Time of Completion:
Verify that the smoke alarm installation is complete.
Installer¿s Signature
Installer¿s Signature
Please mail or fax this Checklist along with the Installation Form to Fire Protection Publications when the smoke alarm installation is completed.
Fax: 405-744-4112 or Mail: Fire Protection Publications Attention: Tom Hughes 930 N. Willis Stillwater , OK 74078
Please complete one copy of this form for each residence in which you install a smoke alarm.
Installer Information
Name:
Date of Installation:
Occupant Information:
Last Name:
First Name:
Street Address:
City:
New Smoke Alarm(s) Information
- Number of new smoke alarms installed: Zero, One, Two, or Three or more
- Type(s) of smoke alarm(s) installed: First Alert or Silent Call
Serial number (1) Bed shaker, Strobe receiver, Receiver without strobe
Serial number (2) Bed shaker, Strobe receiver, Receiver without strobe
Serial number (3) Bed shaker, Strobe receiver, Receiver without strobe
Date you marked on back of each installed smoke alarm:
Residence Information
- Type of Residence: One family, Multi-family, Apartment, Mobile home
- Number of levels in the home: One, Two, Three or more
- Number of smoke alarms currently in the home: If zero (0), skip to question 4. Zero, One, Two, Three or more
Was there at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home? Yes No
If no, which level(s) did not have a smoke alarm?
Basement First floor Second floor Other:
Was there at least one smoke alarm near all sleeping areas? Yes No
If no, which area(s) did not have a smoke alarm? Specify
- Number of smoke alarms tested: Zero, One, Two, Three or more
- Number of smoke alarms that did not work: Zero, One, Two, Three or more
If smoke alarms did not work, please indicate how many alarms had the following problems:
Disconnected battery Dead battery Missing battery Other: (specify)
- Number of smoke alarms more than 10 years old: Zero, One, Two, Three or more Unknown
- What did you leave with the home¿s occupant?
Fire safety messages Video/DVD Owner¿s manual Packaging
- Did you help occupant find two ways out of every room? Yes No
- Did you help occupant select an outside meeting place? Yes No
- What¿s the occupant¿s preferred method for follow-up? Phone call, Email, Mail, or TTY