HomeResidential Service Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

House fires and carbon monoxide poisoning are major dangers to modern homes and are responsible for millions of dollars in property damage and thousands of emergency room visits each year in the U.S. But there would be far more property damage and hospital emergencies if it were not for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is why it’s vital for you arrange to have these detectors installed in your house. Give OT Electric a call at 239-895-2000 to schedule an appointment to review your detectors and ensure you and your family are properly protected.

Smoke Detector Installation

No matter what energy source you use in your house, you must have smoke detectors installed. And the best way to have the installation of smoke detectors is to contact licensed electricians to perform the service like OT Electric. We can hardwire sensitive and reliable smoke detectors into the ideal spots in the house to rapidly sense the presence of smoke and alert your family to it. There are different type of detectors, mainly photoelectric detectors and ionization detectors. One type will work in some areas better than others, but you won’t have to worry about making the choice; this is why you have OT Electric on the job in the first place.

The Need for Carbon Monoxide Detection Installation

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless toxic gas that’s a result of combustion. High concentrations of CO cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which starts as headaches and nausea, and if continued at high enough concentrations can be fatal.

CO is a concern in any home that uses natural gas or combusts other fuel types. If your home relies on natural gas in some way—and the majority of households do—you must have carbon monoxide detectors to give you the warning your senses cannot. Although you can purchase inexpensive CO detectors at home improvement stores, it’s better to have OT Electric hook them up in your home in units that combine CO detection with smoke detection. Our OT Electric electricians will have both detection needs taken care of in a single installation.

Smoke Detector Replacement and Other Safety Electrical Services

It’s important to annually test your smoke and CO detectors, usually in spring. If you find that one of the detectors isn’t working when tested, either replace the batteries (even hardwired units have battery backups for additional safety) or arrange to have the unit professionally replaced. OT Electric will find the right new units and have them put in place fast. You can count on us at OT Electric to arrive at your home quickly.

ARE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS REQUIRED TO BE INSTALLED IN HOMES IN FLORIDA?

Florida Statute 553.885 states that any new home, or addition to a home, permitted on or after July 1, 2008, that has a fossil-fuel burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or attached garage shall have a carbon monoxide alarm installed within 10 feet of each sleeping room. The statue allows the carbon monoxide alarm to be hard-wired (served by the home’s electrical system) or battery-powered. Also, a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm is allowed at the required locations.

A remodeling that does not add square footage to the home does not have to meet this new requirement; but, it’s certainly a sensible safety upgrade to do along with the other improvements of a home remodeling project.

A hard-wired and interconnectable carbon monoxide and smoke alarm currently costs about $50. Because smoke alarms are required to be interconnected and placed in the access area near the bedrooms and also inside the bedrooms, we often see combination alarms in the access rooms (to comply with the “within 10 feet of each sleeping room” requirement for carbon monoxide alarms) and interconnected smoke alarms installed in the bedrooms.