Hi Catherine,

I liked your article on Seasonal Safety and appreciated your saying, "For many of us, it’s become a tradition to conduct this test when we change our clocks in the spring and fall."

The parallel of this at work would be to create a semi-annual (PM) Preventive Maintenance work order to inspect the home smoke alarms. While a semi-annual smoke alarm test using the test device located on the smoke alarm is a good practice, a little more should be done to be safe, efficient, effective and fulfill obligations under the Fire Code.

Between inspections, battery-operated smoke alarms usually alert occupants of battery end of life by an audible warning signal for up to seven days. This indicates that failure is imminent and replacement of the correct battery type should restore operability of the smoke alarm. Following installation of a new battery make sure you test it for operation. Also remember if you have been absent for seven or more days (vacation) ensure that the battery is still operational.

Under the guise of safety, efficiency and effectiveness you are already scheduled to do an inspection, so why not consider:

• Checking to ensure that battery terminals have not corroded and batteries have not leaked.
• Vacuum the exterior of the smoke alarm with a household vacuum. A brush attachment will aid in removing accumulated dust from the cover. If recommended by the manufacturer, open the battery cover and gently vacuum the circuit board.
• Test the smoke alarm using smoke from an incense stick, punk stick, or a cotton string placed in an ashtray or other suitable noncombustible container. This one is important, as the intent of the device is to detect smoke and trigger the alarm.  The battery could operate, but a hidden failure may have occurred and this is a good failure-finding technique.

We teach that nothing is more important than health and safety. We also teach effective and efficient maintenance. Since smoke alarms are life safety devices they must be maintained in operating condition at all times and a little effort can make this happen.

Thanks,
Tony

Tony Newport, Facilitator of Learning and Development
ArcelorMittal Dofasco

Editor’s Note: Thanks for the tips, Tony.

SafetyXChange Members, if you have  a safety tip to share, send it to catherinej@bongarde.com and let us know if we can use your name/company name with your tip.

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