For anyone building, remodeling, or altering a house one quickly learns that the code is full of numbers. From insulation minimums to stair maximums just trying to keep track of them can be daunting. One exception is with the placement of Smoke Detectors and to a lesser extent Carbon Monoxide detectors. Oh sure they basically say […]
Safety Sunday: Fire Pit Safety by the Numbers
It’s starting to get cooler outside and with many wanting to extend their time outside – what better way than a firepit in the backyard? Turning on the news though with most of the Western seaboard burning and it might just give you pause… For more Fire Safety related to current events: Campfire Safety; Making […]
Monday Musings: Smoke Detectors, DST, and…
One of the things I miss about Arizona (besides not dealing with snow on Halloween) is no Daylight Savings Time (DST). As it was originally 6 months long, the “change your smoke detector batteries” movement became popular in the late 80’s / early 90’s depending on where you lived. As we “fall back” yesterday and […]
FAQ: How often should I replace my smoke detector?
This is the final piece on Daylight Savings Time & Smoke Detectors. In this one we ask the final question, just how long is the unit good for aka when should I replace it? While many manufacturers state 10 years (and for newer units a “replace by date” is listed) we recommend every 5 years […]
FAQ: Do I really need to test smoke detector monthly?
Yes, for a few reasons. The primary reason for a stand-alone system is to make sure the battery is still alive & the unit is working properly. For interconnected units which will set every unit off, this is to ensure that a mouse or other critter hasn’t done any damage. Most have a simple “test” […]
FAQ: Smoke Detectors, Batteries, & DST?
I am not sure you have caught it yet on the news or around the water cooler, but this Sunday marks the start of Daylight Savings Time (DST.) You can almost be guaranteed a piece on a clock shop & a reminder to change out your smoke detectors batteries. Amazingly most forget to mention your carbon monoxide batteries. When […]
BS4D: The Fire Sprinklers & Air Barrier conundrum
Ahh the dreaded question, just how does one comply with the codes when they conflict with each other? In this case how does one install fire sprinklers, while keeping them in conditioned space so they don’t freeze while ensuring that insulation stays in continuous contact with the air-barrier? Well what happens in most cases is you sweet […]
Wacky Weds: Be Firewise not ignorant
Below are some quotes from a recent newsletter I get. One reason why I get this newsletter is the gentleman in question has some really great pieces & information that he does provide. Unfortunately in this case, whether it was because of , his never experiencing one, or his just plain not knowing any better […]
Common Sense Building: Dryer Venting
I have seen a lot of things in my time, but seeing a gutter downspout in the attic, which was being used as a dryer vent was definitely worth a double take. As you can tell from the pics, there wasn’t too much lint that ever made it out of the “vent.” Now as for […]
20 Point Quick “Firewise” Building Checklist
This has been a bad year for fires across North America which hasn’t been helped by what many are calling the worst drought in 50 years. As of Friday there have been 5,612 fires in Canada & another 38,436 here in the US. This has resulted in nearly 8.5 million combined acres burned (4.4 US […]