Modular House

[stickboy1375]

I just started work on two modular houses, and doing a walkthru I noticed that instead of buying smoke/CO combination units, they installed the smokes on the ceilings, but they installed the CO's on the wall at receptacle height, strangest thing I've ever seen, hope a child doesn't turn the CO and remove it from the wall....

 

[Davis9]

I try making sense of it sometimes. The Fire Dept, would rather a battery operated unit than a hardwired Combo Smoke/CO, unless it is Voice alarm. Here in MA anyways. I thought CO was the same density as Air? Meaning they can be installed at any height while providing protection.

Seems people can't distinguish the difference between alarms(Smoke 3-long beeps--CO 4-fast beeps) coming from the same detector.

Tom

 

[JohnE]

I just started work on two modular houses, and doing a walkthru I noticed that instead of buying smoke/CO combination units, they installed the smokes on the ceilings, but they installed the CO's on the wall at receptacle height, strangest thing I've ever seen, hope a child doesn't turn the CO and remove it from the wall....

Doesn't seem like a good idea, though I've seen it done. You could offer to install hardwired CO detectors in the ceiling. At a cost of course. As far as I know, there are no combo units with photoelectric smoke detection, which is required in MA within 20' of kitchen or bathroom. That's why we typically use separate 120V ceiling CO's.

As a side note, the 7th edition MA building code for 1 and 2 family will go into effect sometime this year. It will require hardwired CO's. Battery only will no longer be allowed on new dwellings. Also if there is a house that requires more than 12 smokes, you will need to use system smokes. (I know that is a pretty big house.) FWIW

 

[JohnE]

I try making sense of it sometimes. The Fire Dept, would rather a battery operated unit than a hardwired Combo Smoke/CO, unless it is Voice alarm. Here in MA anyways. I thought CO was the same density as Air? Meaning they can be installed at any height while providing protection.

Seems people can't distinguish the difference between alarms(Smoke 3-long beeps--CO 4-fast beeps) coming from the same detector.

Tom

What application would allow a combo unit in MA? I've never seen a combo with photoelectric smoke.

 

[stickboy1375]

I try making sense of it sometimes. The Fire Dept, would rather a battery operated unit than a hardwired Combo Smoke/CO, unless it is Voice alarm. Here in MA anyways. I thought CO was the same density as Air? Meaning they can be installed at any height while providing protection.

Seems people can't distinguish the difference between alarms(Smoke 3-long beeps--CO 4-fast beeps) coming from the same detector.

Tom

I agree with the voice on the CO detectors, beeps can get confusing to some people...

 

[wireman3736]

I agree with the voice on the CO detectors, beeps can get confusing to some people...

I don't know why the different sound would be confusing, the response from either alarm should be to exit the house, when the fire dept. gets there they are qualified to make that decision, The only different I could see is when they call 911 they could give the information to the operator of what kind of alarm was sounding, That may make a difference in what kind of response there would be.

 

[Davis9]

What application would allow a combo unit in MA? I've never seen a combo with photoelectric smoke.

You can use a ionization combo if more than 20' from kitchen or bathroom. The state (MA) website says photoelectric type combo are just becoming available, who knows? It also says that they must have simulated voice and tone type alarm, I think Kidde was the only one available last time I checked with that feature, albeit ionization type. Big Mcmansions would easily satisfy the 20' rule.

Tom
CMR 527

http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dfs/osfm/cmr/527031.pdf

 

[Davis9]

I don't know why the different sound would be confusing, the response from either alarm should be to exit the house, when the fire dept. gets there they are qualified to make that decision, The only different I could see is when they call 911 they could give the information to the operator of what kind of alarm was sounding, That may make a difference in what kind of response there would be.

My thoughts exactly, false alarms are common with smoke detectors. People ignore them unless they see smoke. Can't see CO. Can't smell it either.

Point is your supposed to get out of the house no matter what, but in reality people take the battery out(take it down) instead.

Tom