Show All Answers

1. Are there other considerations when installing smoke detectors?

Mount smoke detectors in the middle of the ceiling, if possible. If not, mount detectors on the wall, at least three feet from a corner and four to six inches from the ceiling. Keep detectors away from fans or air ducts.

Avoid placing the detector too close to kitchen stoves and bathroom showers. Mount basement detectors at the bottom of the basement stairwell. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

2. Do extinguishers really need to be serviced every year?

They may not need to be serviced but even if an extinguisher hasn't been used, it still needs to be inspected to make sure there's no corrosion, that nothing has been damaged, and that everything is set for it to operate properly when needed. In many cases, they just need to be examined and / or weighed (Carbon Monoxide extinguishers). However depending on extinguisher type and age (usually every six years for those over 12 years old) they must be taken apart, inspected internally or pressure tested, then reassembled, recharged and permanently marked with a label indicating the service date. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

3. How do fire sprinklers work?

At each sprinkler, the water under pressure in the pipe is held back by a plug held in place either by metal parts or a small glass vial filled with fluid. When sufficient heat hits a sprinkler, the special solder holding the metal parts together melts, or the fluid in the glass vial expands enough to break the glass. In either case, the plug is released and the water begins to flow. Fire sprinklers are proven to save lives, enabling occupants to escape the area of the fire. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

4. Is one smoke detector enough?

Generally, several detectors are required to provide full protection. Smoke detectors should be installed on every living level of the home, inside each bedroom, and in the main corridor outside each bedroom area. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

5. What is a ‘Proper fire extinguisher’? Are there different kinds of extinguishers for different kinds of fires?

Yes, there are. The universal standard extinguisher (good on most small fires you might encounter) for the last 10 to 20 years is the "ABC," or multi-purpose extinguisher. It can be used on a Class A, B or C fire.

• Class A is ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, etc.
• Class B means flammable liquids, such as oil, gasoline, kerosene, etc. and
• Class C refers to the presence of energized electrical circuits (e.g., an electric motor, electrical wiring, etc.).

However, there are several other kinds of extinguishers available which are only effective when used on the kind of fire for which they were intended. These include:

• Pressurized water - Class A only
• Carbon dioxide - Class B and C only
• "B-C" Dry chemical - Class B and C only
• "K" for cooking and kitchen areas
• "D" dry chemical - for self-spontaneous igniting/burning fires, usually these involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, zirconium, potassium, and sodium.

For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

6. What is a charged extinguisher? How often do extinguishers need to be inspected, tested or serviced?

Extinguishers, fire hoses and other fire safety equipment (alarms, exit signs, emergency lights) need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure they are in working condition. Typically a quick visual check is to be done at least monthly by an employee or the monitor in the area. Under law, extinguishers and hoses must be checked and documented at least once a year by a qualified inspector. They also must have a sign-off tag (or other documentation) to verify that they have been inspected. 

Extinguishers must be recharged any time that they have been used (of course), if the pin has been pulled (seal broken), or the gauge is not in the green (or whatever color the proper pressure area happens to be). Even if an extinguisher was only used a small amount it must be serviced as the used powder clogs the valve and prevents reuse. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

7. What types of smoke detectors are there?

There are two basic types of smoke detectors: ionization and photo-electronic. Both are effective at detecting fire, yet each has a unique detecting system. Each type of detector comes as AC- operated smoke detectors or battery-powered smoke detectors. Some AC detectors come with a battery back-up system. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

8. When one sprinkler goes off, won't they all go off?

Only in the make-believe world of movies! In real life, each sprinkler is independent and has to be subjected to direct heat to go off. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

9. Where should I install my smoke detectors?

Install a minimum of two detectors even in single level homes. Install a smoke detector in each bedroom as well as the main corridor outside of the bedroom area. Install a smoke detector above stairwells. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.

10. Will smoke set off the sprinkler system?

Absolutely not; it takes actual heat, usually 165 degrees Fahrenheit, to set off a sprinkler. For more information, contact us at 406-758-7760.