Smoke Detectors / Alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning of fire, giving you and your family more time to safely evacuate your home.
Often, home fires occur in the darkness of night when residents are fast asleep. One misconception is
that a person will awaken from the smell of smoke. This is WRONG...Smoke is a silent killer! Smoke
contains many deadly gases, such as carbon monoxide, that will actually put a person into an even
deeper state of sleep, causing a person never to wake up. A smoke alarm is your first line of defense
to get out alive.
Choosing a Smoke Alarm
Smoke alarms can be purchased at the majority of hardware and variety department stores. Be sure that the alarms you buy carry
the label of an independent testing laboratory.
Some smoke alarms detect smoke using an ionization sensor while others use a photoelectric sensor. Again, both types are
effective as long as they are installed and maintained properly, following the manufacturer's directions.
Specialty alarms with emergency lights also exist for the hearing impaired.
How many and where to install?
The total number of smoke alarms and where they are installed depends on the home. Follow these guidelines for determining the
number of smoke alarms and where to install them.
In each bedroom
In each sleeping area
Within six feet of each door leading to a bedroom or sleeping area of each unit
On each floor of the building
Smoke alarms are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, or garages where cooking fumes, steam, or exhaust fumes
could result in false alarms.
Do not install an alarm in an attic or other unheated spaces where humidity and temperature changes could affect
the alarm's operation.
If your alarm regularly goes off due to normal cooking in the kitchen, do not attempt to remove the battery. Physically move and
reinstall the smoke alarm in a location where the alarm will not continually go off while you are cooking.
Install smoke alarms following the manufacturer's directions. Most battery operated smoke alarms can be easily installed using a
drill, screws, and screwdriver. Alarms hard-wired to the homes electrical system should be installed by a professional. Never install an
alarm to a circuit that can be turned off from a wall switch.
Mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling. Avoid dead air spaces. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed so that they are 4 to
12 inches from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted alarm should be attached at least 4 inches from the nearest wall.
Maintenance & Batteries
Only a functioning smoke alarm can protect you and your family.
Never disable an alarm by "borrowing" its battery for another use.
Test your smoke alarms monthly.
Follow the manufacturer´s instructions.
Clean your smoke alarms using a dust brush or rag.
Never paint a smoke alarm.
Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLATION - Email Melissa Joyce Assistant Fire Marshal
If you live inside the Madison Fire District please contact the Fire Department
SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLATION - EMAIL
If you live outside the Madison Fire District please contact Melissa Joyce - Asst Fire Marshal
North Carolina General Statutes for Smoke Detectors
If you are a renter click the image to the right to read what
the Landlord and Tenant Duties are by law that pertains to Smoke Detectors
- REFLECTIVE ADDRESS SIGNS
- BURNING PERMITS (outside the city)
- FIRE INCIDENT REPORTS - Email Chief J.Ritchey
- FIRE INSPECTIONS
- FIRE TRAINING - Email Asst. Chief P. Webster
- PUBLIC EDUCATION OUTREACH - Email Chief J.Ritchey
- SMOKE DETECTORS / ALARMS
- HYDRANT FLOW TEST DATA - Email Deputy Chief K. Hall
- KNOX BOX PURCHASING
Smoke Detectors / alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning of fire, giving you and
your family more time to safely evacuate your home.
Often, home fires occur in the darkness of night when
residents are fast asleep. One misconception is that a person
will awaken from the smell of smoke. This is WRONG...Smoke
is a silent killer! Smoke contains many deadly gases, such as
carbon monoxide, that will actually put a person into an even
deeper state of sleep, causing a person never to wake up. A
smoke alarm is your first line of defense to get out alive.
Choosing a Smoke Alarm
Smoke alarms can be purchased at the majority of hardware
and variety department stores. Be sure that the alarms you
buy carry the label of an independent testing laboratory.
Some smoke alarms detect smoke using an ionization sensor
while others use a photoelectric sensor. Again, both types are
effective as long as they are installed and maintained
properly, following the manufacturer's directions.
Specialty alarms with emergency lights also exist for the
hearing impaired.
How many and where to install?
The total number of smoke alarms and where they are
installed depends on the home. Follow these guidelines for
determining the number of smoke alarms and where to install
them.
In each bedroom
In each sleeping area
Within six feet of each door leading to a bedroom or sleeping
area of each unit
On each floor of the building
Smoke alarms are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms,
or garages where cooking fumes, steam, or exhaust fumes
could result in false alarms.
Do not install an alarm in an attic or other unheated spaces
where humidity and temperature changes could affect the
alarm's operation.
If your alarm regularly goes off due to normal cooking in the
kitchen, do not attempt to remove the battery. Physically move
and reinstall the smoke alarm in a location where the alarm
will not continually go off while you are cooking.
Install smoke alarms following the manufacturer's directions.
Most battery operated smoke alarms can be easily installed
using a drill, screws, and screwdriver. Alarms hard-wired to the
homes electrical system should be installed by a professional.
Never install an alarm to a circuit that can be turned off from a
wall switch.
Mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling. Avoid dead air
spaces. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed so that they
are 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted alarm
should be attached at least 4 inches from the nearest wall.
Maintenance & Batteries
Only a functioning smoke alarm can protect you and your
family.
Never disable an alarm by "borrowing" its battery for another
use.
Test your smoke alarms monthly.
Follow the manufacturer´s instructions.
Clean your smoke alarms using a dust brush or rag.
Never paint a smoke alarm.
Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLATION - EMAIL
If you live inside the Madison Fire District
please contact the Fire Department
SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLATION - EMAIL
If you live outside the Madison Fire District please
contact Melissa Joyce - Asst. Fire Marshal
North Carolina General Statutes for Smoke Detectors
If you are a renter click the image below to read what the
Landlord and Tenant Duties are by law that
pertains to Smoke Detectors
