27% of fires reported between 2014 and 2018 were in homes across the US. Fire alarms are an essential safety feature in any home in case a fire does occur. But the fire alarm chirping noises, or even the fire alarm sound during an actual emergency, can be so intense.
Why are fire alarms so loud? Why do we need to have so many fire alarms if even one or two are loud enough to hear throughout your home?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
Fire Alarm Volumes Are Not All the Same
The main reason that a fire alarm is so loud is that its job is to make sure everyone knows they need to get out right away.
The noises produced are allowed to be louder than other types of devices you may find. They are a necessary safety feature to alert others to danger in the building, regardless of what they may be doing.
There is standardization with fire alarms, so they all need to be at a certain level. However, some fire alarms are still permitted to be louder than others depending on the type.
How Loud Are Most Fire Alarms?
The requirement is that a fire alarm emits at least 75 decibels. Many of the average fire alarms in our country are closer to 85 decibels.
In a home, you don’t have a lot of noises going on generally that you may in a public place. For this reason, keeping the decibels the fire alarm emits closer to the minimum is authorized because people are still going to hear it.
If someone in the home is hearing impaired, there are more options to consider other than just a louder alarm. Some fire alarms will come with strobe lights or can connect to other devices to alert the residents of the home.
Protecting Your Hearing
Fire alarms are important to have in your home for protection, so you want to be sure that you know how to keep your hearing safe as well when they are in use.
Luckily, most of us will automatically cover our ears when we are exposed to decibels at this level (unless we are at a concert or somewhere where we want to hear the noise).
Because some fire alarms can be as loud as 120 decibels, you have to protect your hearing. Otherwise, you might end up with lasting damage.
Aside from covering your ears, you should have a plan to evacuate your home in the case of a fire emergency. This way, you and your family are able to get out quickly and avoid maximum exposure to the noise.
Are You Looking for Fire Alarms?
Now that you have a better idea of how loud fire alarms can get and why they are essential for safety in your home, you may want to take a look at the ones you have in your home.
If you’re missing fire alarms, now is the time to replace them. Don’t wait for something to happen; be prepared!
Take a look at our fire alarm installation and design page to get a better idea about how we can help you keep you and your family safe.
