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Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarms

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 60% of home fire deaths occur in homes that had no smoke alarms or non-functioning smoke alarms. The risk of dying in residential structure fires reduced by half when working smoke alarms are present. 

There are generally two different types of smoke alarms: photoelectric and ionization. Photoelectric smoke alarms are better at sensing slow, smoldering fires, while ionization smoke alarms are better at detecting fast moving fires. CSFD installs a combination photoelectric and ionization smoke alarm. 

Smoke alarms should be placed in all bedrooms, outside each sleeping area, and there must be at least one smoke alarm on every level, including the basement. It is recommend NOT to place smoke alarms closer than 10 feet to cooking appliances. 

Smoke alarms should be tested once a month. Batteries should be replaced twice a year. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. It is important to periodically clean your smoke alarm to keep dust and other particles from interfering with its detection. 

The College Station Fire Department has battery-operated residential smoke alarms that are available, at no cost, to College Station homeowners who are either physically or financially unable to purchase or install their own smoke alarms. Members of the fire department will check smoke alarms for proper operation and location. If needed, CSFD will install batteries and/or smoke alarms. The smoke alarm installation program is supported through a grant funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency/Assistance to Firefighters Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program.

Depending on the size of your home, and your need for smoke alarms, the inspection could take up to an hour to complete. If you are not able to be at your home during the work day, please indicate the best times to schedule your inspection.

Personnel install smoke alarms where the current City adopted Fire Code allows. 

The homeowner must be present at the time of the smoke alarm installation.

If you do not own your home, but have concerns about your smoke alarms, contact your property manager. 

If your smoke alarm is chirping and you are unable to change its batteries, call 979.764.3700 to speak with a fire department dispatcher.

Submitting a request for a smoke alarm inspection does not guarantee that one of the times you request can be filled. 

After your request has been submitted, a member of the fire department will contact you to schedule a time for your inspection. Please allow five business days for processing your request, although it is likely that your request will be processed within 48 hours.

To have your residence evaluated, please submit a 
Smoke Alarm Request.
