Seven Days A Week
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UPSCALE HOME INSPECTIONS
H O M E C O N D O C O M M E R C I A L
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Dallas Georgia / Paulding County Georgia
Certified Inspector
Home, Condo, Commercial Inspection Services
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J C Weise
Property Inspector
Woodstock, GA
www.UpscaleInspections.com
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Smoke Alarms
SMOKE DETECTORS and CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS are often connected to the fire and intrusion alarm systems, and operating detectors may result in unwanted visits by police or fire departments. The built-in test button, when present, only verifies proper battery and test-light function; it does not test sensing capabilities.Therefore, detectors will not be tested. The location will be noted.
Recommendation: Obtain pertinent information from seller before closing and have the system checked by a security company or local fire department.
The National Fire Prevention Association recommends replacing smoke alarms every 10 years to ensure that the alarm is functional in all respects. Batteries should be changed every six months; a good time to do this is when you reset your clocks in October and April. I also recommend that at least two smoke alarms be installed to provide backup protection if a dead battery is present in one or if a smoke alarm is defective or fails.
Working smoke alarms in new homes are required in hallways outside all bedrooms, inside all bedrooms and at least one alarm on each floor. I also reccommend installing one in each garage area and any room where someone may fall asleep (such as a family room with a cozy fireplace, television, and stereo). Consult with your Realtor for any legal requirements for the city where your property is located. If you are in an unincorporated area, contact the county.
Smoke alarms sometimes are placed too high, making battery replacement difficult at best. Unfortunately, such placement is common and is allowed by many authorities having jurisdiction. However, when units are too high for easy battery replacement, the batteries typically are not replaced when necessary, creating periods of non-protection and a personal injury, safety, and fire hazard. I’ve even seen a smoke alarm in the middle of a two-story stairway. Only Spider Man would have been able to replace the battery.
Recommendations
1) Recommend testing smoke alarms at move-in, installing fresh batteries, and testing all alarms monthly.
2) Recommend ensuring that smoke alarms are present in all bedrooms.
3) Recommend ensuring that at least two working smoke alarms are present.
4) Recommend ensuring that smoke alarms are interconnected so that smoke in one part of the house will cause all alarms to sound.
5) Recommend replacing batteries in smoke alarms twice a year. A convenient time to do this task is when clocks are reset in the spring and fall.
If you have any questions about anything, simply contact me.
Thank you for using The Upscale Home Inspections Service.
www.upscaleinspections.com
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Upscale Home Inspections serving;
North Metro Atlanta Georgia, Marietta Georgia, Dallas, Buckhead, Vinings, Smyrna, Kennesaw, Acworth, Cartersville, Woodstock, Canton, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Norcross, Duluth and Surrounding Areas.
Bartow, Cobb, Cherokee, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Paulding, Pickens County
Dallas Georgia Home Inspector - Paulding County Georgia Home Inspection
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