State requires dual-sensored fire detectors in new homes

That regulation comes from the Iowa State Fire Marshall's Office.

Wayne Schipper, Le Mars fire chief, said the combination fire detectors have two sensors to protect against different kinds of fires.

The photo electric sensor detects small, smoldering fires while the ionization sensor detects fast, flaming fires, Schipper said.

"If one (sensor) doesn't react, the other does," he said.

Currently most residences have fire detectors with one of the sensors, but not both.

There are two ways to install the new dual-sensored smoke alarms, which do not detect carbon monoxide. A separate detector is needed for that, Schipper said.

"One needs a battery, and the other is wired into your electrical system with a backup battery," he said. "If the electricity goes off, it will be supported by the battery."

The City of Le Mars doesn't currently require the dual-sensored detectors, but it does require any new homes to have fire detectors wired into the electrical system, instead of running on batteries alone.

"When one (alarm) goes off, it tells the other ones to go off," Schipper said.

The state fire marshall will require all fire detectors be wired into new home's electrical systems across the state, along with the dual-sensored fire alarms on or after the April 1 deadline, Schipper said.

Owners of older homes will not be required to change to their detectors to the dual-sensored ones, but Schipper encourages it for added safety.

Most fire detectors have a 10-year life span before their components break down, and that's a good time to replace them in older homes with the new combination detectors, Schipper said.

"When you go to the store now, you will ask for the dual-sensored unit," he said. "You can put those in with batteries. You don't have to wire those in."

One of the reason behind the fire marshall's new requirements is because of the different characteristics of fire today than years ago, Schipper said.

"Fires are more aggressive than they used to be with the composites of things that are in people's homes," he said.

For example, even 20 years ago builders used more hard wood and metals, which aren't petroleum products, compared to today's use of plastics and wood laminates in homes, Schipper said.

Initially the dual-sensored fire detectors were going to be required in new homes on and after Oct. 1, but manufacturing companies needed more time, he said.

"They are still making their way into the stores," Schipper said of the combination fire detectors. "Hardware stores are going to be selling them."

National Fire Prevention Week is this week, Oct. 5-11.