While not designed to prevent or extinguish fires, smoke detectors play a critical role in your families’ safety, notifying you of fires and allowing for a quick escape.
Smoke Detectors in AMH Homes
Aurora Housing uses various styles of smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors throughout homes on JBER. All smoke and CO detectors are hardwired and utilize a battery backup. This allows for one alarm to trigger others under normal conditions, while also allowing for the alarm to sound should there be a power outage.
Smoke/CO Combos (Hallways): At least one of these can be found on each level of the home. These not only detect smoke, but also CO.
Ionization Smoke Detectors (Bedrooms, Bonus Rooms, Dens): These devices are more sensitive to flaming fires and can be found in every room but the kitchen.
Photoelectric Smoke Detectors (Kitchen): These devices are more sensitive to smoldering fires and can be found in the kitchen as they are less likely to alarm from normal cooking.
Sprinkler Systems: Some homes have sprinkler systems, which are routinely serviced. These kick on if substantial heat is detected. Note that unlike in the movies, one sprinkler does not set off all; they only discharge in rooms that meet the required heat threshold.
Routine Maintenance
Taking care of your smoke and CO detectors will allow for them to take care of you. Changing batteries and testing frequently will make sure they’ll do their job should a fire occur.
1) Test Monthly: Press the button on your smoke/CO detector once a month, all alarms should sound.
2) Change Batteries Annually: Smoke/CO detector batteries are available at the Aurora Self Help Center (1 for 1 swap).
3) Report Concerns to Maintenance: If all alarms didn’t sound during a test or you’re having difficulty changing batteries, contact our maintenance emergency line at (907) 753-1023.
Know your chirps!
Not only do the hardwired smoke detectors in AMH homes talk to each other, they also talk to you by ‘chirping’.
One Chirp
Typically the result of an old battery. Replace the battery, then reset.
Three Chirps
Typically the result of an expiring smoke/CO detector. Contact maintenance to replace.
Note: The majority of fire related deaths in homes occur when there is no working smoke alarm present. While it may be easy to pop out a battery or unplug a smoke detector that is at its end of life, it is just as easy to forget about it. Our maintenance team will gladly swing by and install a new smoke detector any time, day or night; all that is required on your end is a simple phone call.
Resetting the Smoke/CO Detector
Hold down the test/reset button until the smoke/CO detector sirens 3 times. Do this twice. Resets must be performed each time batteries are replaced.
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