In comparison to conventional site-built homes, mobile and manufactured homes are known to be more prone to fire damage, especially since they are mostly made from a lighter material that may be more flammable in general. According to fire safety statistics, having a fire alarm or smoke detector lowers the risks of fire damages and fatality by almost half. It is, therefore, essential to ensure that your manufactured home is installed with a proper functioning smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector as one of the crucial safety tips for your home. This being the case, here are some things you should know about Manufactured Home Smoke Detectors, along with some handy tips for things to consider when choosing one for your home.
Types of Smoke Detectors/Alarms
There are various types of smoke detectors for mobile homes, just like there are for conventional ones, depending on the functional mechanisms, power, rating, and other factors. here are a few examples you should know of:
Local-Only Vs Monitored Detectors
Local-Only Smoke Detectors: The local-only smoke detector is designed with a sensor that detects smoke in the case of a fire, after which it triggers an alarm sound to notify the manufactured home occupants to take action. In most cases, these are battery operated devices that are mainly meant to save lives from fire hazards.
Monitored Smoke Detectors: This type of smoke detector is connected to a fire alarm system. In addition to sounding a siren or alarm after smoke detection, the detector also notifies the fire response agency or company for action. With this type of detector, homeowners can save a big deal of property and life, especially if the fire team provides quick response and manages to get there in good timing after being alerted by the monitoring agency. Some of these detectors are wired, whereas others have a wireless operation.
Ionization Vs Photoelectric Detectors
There are two main types of fires depending on the material being burned; smoldering, and flaring fires.
1) Ionization Detectors: Ionization smoke detectors/alarms are considered best for detecting flaming fires that burn quick, usually producing small particles of smoke. However, sometimes these detectors may trigger false alarms upon detecting steam or fumes from burned food, especially if installed in places such as the manufactured home kitchen or bathroom.
2) Photoelectric Detectors: These, on the other hand, are regarded best for detecting large fire particles from smoky fires that smolder, usually characteristic of fires as they start. They are less likely to trigger false alarms as above but are considered poor in detecting flaming and fast-spreading fires.
3) Combined Sensor Alarms: These detectors feature both photoelectric and ionization detection technologies and are sometimes referred to as dual-sensor smoke alarms. They are considered the best option, especially for manufactured homes.
Choosing a Smoke Detector for Your Manufactured Home
When choosing a smoke detector or fire alarm for your mobile home, there are some important factors to consider in addition to price, brand reputation, and the source.
1. Power Source: Most smoke detectors in the market are either Lithium battery-powered DC or 120-Volt AC powered. The AC type can either be hardwired into the home’s power supply, even though socket plug mounts are also available. Some units are also available with a combined battery and AC operation.
2. Display Features: It is also advisable to consider detectors with a digital display, especially those that detect and display carbon monoxide levels in a room. However, not all smoke detectors may have CO sensors.
3. Warning Features: Some of the best models come with warning functions such as battery low warning features may include sounds, audio voice alerts, and warning lights, among others.
4. Wire Connections: Compatibility is also important when choosing a smoke detector for your manufactured home. In some models, you can interconnect all the alarms in your home, such that they are triggered at the same time in case any detector senses smoke. Some models come with remote control feature for inputting settings or silencing false fire alarms, whereas others feature wireless connectivity between detectors and the siren.
5. Installation and Maintenance Instructions: It is also important to go for a smoke detector or alarm that comes with proper instructions for installation as well as maintenance. The model you choose should conform to the UL 217 Standards or the respective authority for Manufactured Home Smoke Detectors in your area.