Smoke Detectors in Memphis Apartments
Sep 30th, 2007 by Memphis Apartments
More than three-fourths of all fire deaths occur in the home, which includes Memphis apartments. One of the best devices you can use to prevent fire deaths is a smoke detector. If you live in a Memphis apartment you probably have at least one smoke detector. It is important to maintain your Memphis apartment smoke detectors in good working conditions.
The most important question regarding smoke detectors is who is responsible for their upkeep. Even if it is the Memphis apartment landlord’s responsibility, are you willing to rely on another person to keep you and your family safe? It is always a good idea to be able to check your detectors yourself throughout the year to make sure they operate properly.
In many communities, the landlord is required to install the smoke detector and make sure it works properly once the tenant moves in. The tenant is responsible for making sure it continues to work. This includes changing the batteries twice a year. If you want to know what is required in your city, contact your local fire department or city building code department.
The best location for smoke detectors in your Memphis apartment is outside of each bedroom. If all of your bedrooms are located next to each other, you only need to install one detector in the hallway. Install the detectors on a wall or ceiling. If you decide to place your detector on the ceiling, make sure there is at least six inches between the detector and the walls. Wall detectors should be between six and twelve inches from the ceiling.
If you think the detector is not installed properly, submit a written request to your landlord asking him to reinstall it. Your landlord might perform annual inspections of your Memphis apartment. If he does, he should check the detectors to make sure they are operating properly. Not every state requires annual inspection of detectors by landlords. Once you move in, you may be responsible for the detectors.
Some municipals waive landlord responsibility for maintaining smoke detectors if you are behind in your rent. It is important that you know not only your state laws but your city requirements as well. Do not assume your landlord is responsible for something without checking it out first. If you have questions, you can contact your local tenant association for advice.
Never remove the batteries from your smoke detector. If you live in a small Memphis apartment, it is tempting to remove the batteries because your smoke alarm might be activated each time you cook. This can be annoying. Rather than remove the batteries, see if you can reposition the detector so it is further away from the kitchen.
It is important you know how to properly test your smoke detector. Many people believe that by pushing the button on the detector, they are properly testing it. All this does is test to make sure the batteries work. It does not test whether the device appropriately detects smoke. You can purchase a “can of smoke” that you spray towards the detector. If the alarm is activated, your smoke detector works. Contact your local fire department for more information.
Memphis apartment fires can be deadly. You should take every precaution possible to protect you and your family in case of a fire. Fires that occur while you are asleep are often the most devastating. Without properly working smoke detectors, once you realize there is a fire it is often too late. Smoke detectors alert you of the potential threat of a fire so you can get your family safely out of your Memphis apartment.