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What features can I choose for my fire alarm?

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Whether you decide to install a photoelectric alarm or an ionization unit, a battery-powered or hardwired fire alarm, you will likely have the option of choosing one or all of the below fire alarm features:

• Test button: A test button should come standard on all smoke alarms. This feature allows you to manually set off the alarm to make sure that it works properly.

• Silence button: If you accidentally set off a smoke alarm, simply press the silence button and the alarm will shut off. Otherwise, you will need to wave a towel or your hand in front of the sensor until the alarm shuts off.

• Remote control: Some fire alarms allow you to use a standard television remote control to test and/or silence the smoke alarm. If your alarm thus equipped, point your remote control at the fire alarm and hold down a button for five seconds to test or silence the alarm.

• Carbon monoxide detection: You can buy carbon monoxide detectors separately from fire alarms, but you can also purchase one alarm that detects both carbon monoxide and smoke. These joint detectors can also use different alarms so that you know whether the alarm was activated by smoke or carbon monoxide.

• Lighting: Some fire alarms beam a light at the same time that they sound an alarm. Other alarms offer strobe lights that help to wake people with hearing trouble. In both cases, an alarm with lighting can help individuals navigate their way to a safe exit.

• Nuisance resistance: A nuisance-resistant alarm differentiates between real dangers and non-emergencies, such as a burnt Thanksgiving turkey.

• Power indicator: A power indicator (usually a blinking light or a light of a certain color) is a common feature that signals that the detector is active and receiving power.

• Lithium battery/Powercell: Lithium batteries and powercells provide power for up to ten years—long past the life of a normal smoke alarm battery.

In most cases, a simple fire alarm, without all the bells and whistles, will meet your needs. The above features may make your unit easier to use but none of them affect the effectiveness of the alarm.

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