| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Criminal Nails |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 09:44:36
Hey there,
I suppose we've all seen the picture posted on another thread of the burned room, vivs and animals due to the failure of a heat mat. I will be straight forward and confess that I have gone nuts about it.
I am renting a flat, I have no insurance policy for civil liability because I spend most of the time at work and only come back to sleep and spend the weekends. So, if a fire started (due to my mat, which is of the printed type [hello Karma]) I wouldn't notice and everything could burn before I came home...
I am thinking on buying a smoke detector (IKEA sells one) but again the problem is I won't hear the alarm because I won't be home (the neighbours will, probably, which is a good starting point).
Do you have smoke detectors at home? If so, which ones (brand, store and functionning system)? And honestly, am I losing it?
Thanks! |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Thorne Walker |
Posted - 22/02/2013 : 16:07:40
Regardless of what your local laws say about the responsibility of your land lord...
Your safety is ultimately Your responsibility.
I have both an extinguisher and a combo detector that moves with me from house to house and IMO everyone should do likewise. |
| GRBrett |
Posted - 22/02/2013 : 13:01:40
I used to work in a laboratory that tested smoke alarms but I can't add anything that hasn't be said already. What I will say is that all electronics for sale in Europe (including your Heatmat) SHOULD be CE marked. That is to say that it has been rigorously tested in a lab (such as BSI, Intertek, UL e.t.c) and conforms to european safety standards so it will be failsafe. If it doesn't have a CE mark don't buy it as it maybe be a cheapo chinese copy that isn't necessarily safe. This applies to all things electronic or that can have an impact on your health and safety (fire alarms included). Of course follow instructions etc.
I haven't seen the other thread but would be interesting to see the cause and if a product investigation was initiated. |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 17/02/2013 : 09:55:03
As other people have said about asking your landlord, sometimes they are legally suppose to have them, it depends on if there is an agency as the middle man and where the location/type of housing it is I think. But really, it's in the best interest for the landlord to have on, means that someone will call the firemen before most of the house get damage in an unlucky event.
I only sleep and spend weekends in my flat too, I have two alarms which tell everyone else near me when I have something on the grill or when the toaster is being used. |
| Criminal Nails |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 19:24:34
Thanks for your replies!
The thing is, for what I've seen, in Spain a landlord is not legally compelled to provide smoke detectors. So I won't go there.
But I will definitely buy one (thanks Thorne Walker for the detailed explanation) and put it above the viv. Aaaaand I will also change my heat mat to a safer one :)
Better safe than sorry. |
| Moppet |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 18:46:04
As others have said, smoke alarms are a must. Even if you don't keep snakes. Plus I would seriously consider replacing your heat mat with the other type (not printed as they are more commonly faulty). |
| Red123 |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 18:18:48
Can't say what brand of smoke alarm but I do have one in every room inparticular the lounge where most of the snakes are kept. In this room the alarm is right above the vivs. I also have two fire extinguishes one upstairs and one downstairs. Whether you have snakes or not you should have smoke alarms they could save your life. |
| Thorne Walker |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 17:08:54
My recommendation would be a combo unit:
quote:
Windsor Fire & Rescue Services says
There are two types of technologies used in smoke alarms to detect the presence of smoke or the products of combustion. Smoke alarms will employ one or both of these types of technologies. Each type of detector has its advantages and disadvantages.
When properly installed and maintained, both types of alarms alert you to a fire and save lives. As in all things relating to your family’s safety, buy the highest quality smoke alarm your budget will allow. Do not select a detector based solely on its low cost.
Ionization smoke alarms activate more quickly for fast, flaming fires with little visible smoke.
Ionization smoke alarms use a small amount of radioactive material that ionizes the air between two electrically charged plates, causing a current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it changes the flow of current, which is detected and activates the alarm.
Advantages:
Cheaper than other types of smoke alarms
Very good with fast flaming fires with little visible smoke
Suitable for general use
Less prone to false alarms due to dust and steam
Disadvantages:
Very susceptible to nuisance alarms due to cooking
May be slow to respond to slow smouldering fires
Contain radioactive material
Photoelectric smoke alarms are particularly more responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam-filled furnishings.
A photoelectric (optical) smoke alarm “sees” the smoke. Smoke entering the sensing chamber reflects light onto the sensor, which triggers the alarm. Because large particles have much more surface area than small particles, a photoelectric smoke alarm is more sensitive to the large smoke particles produced in a smouldering fire.
Advantages:
Good for smouldering fires and dense smoke
Not as prone to cooking nuisance alarms
Contain no radioactive material
Suitable for general use
Disadvantages:
Prone to nuisance alarms from dust and insects – must be kept clean
More expensive
|
| Charles |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 16:50:06
I would talk to your land lord. He should have fitted them. |
| Dancross0 |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 11:01:15
I've fitted one in my snake room, and I'm thinking of getting a small CO2 extingisher as well. Better safe than sorry... |
| a33272 |
Posted - 14/02/2013 : 10:30:15
Ring ya local fire brigade community saftely department they will come look about and fit some for free.. although I would also have a word with landlord as he may well be legally obliged to provide them. |
