FAQ
Q: I failed an inspection. Do you offer an emergency service?
A: Chuck will do his best to reach you as soon as possible and help move you along the inspection process so you can get your home up and on the market. Late requests require a $50 rush fee.
Q: Who is responsible for paying the invoice?
A: Payment is due upon completion of the work. The Smoke/Co Certificate will not be delivered if the bill has not been paid in full.
Q: How soon in advance do I need to schedule me?
A: Requests must be made a minimum of 30 days prior to closing date or there is no guarantee that the work will be done and the certificate obtained prior to closing. Late requests require a $50 rush fee. Requests made within 14 days of closing require a $125 rush fee.
Q: How many smoke detectors do I need in my home?
A: The average-sized home or apartment requires more than one smoke detector. The exact number depends on the number of levels in the home and the number of bedrooms. National Fire Safety Standards recommend a minimum of one detector on each level of the home, one detector outside the bedroom area, and one in each bedroom. The detector that is placed outside of the bedroom area should be installed in a place where it can be heard at night through a closed bedroom door.
Q: Do I need Carbon Monoxide Detectors?
A: Yes, In most residences, carbon monoxide alarms are required to be located on every level of a home or dwelling unit including livable portions of basements and attics. On levels with sleeping areas the alarms must be placed within ten feet outside of the bedroom doors.
Q: Are your inspections guaranteed?
A: Yes! If we schedule the smoke inspection, we guarantee the property will pass. If the property does not pass, the re-inspection is on us.
Q: Are there different types of smoke detectors? Which are the best?
A: There are two types of smoke detectors for homes. One type is called an ionization detector because it monitors “ions,” or electrically charged particles. Smoke particles entering the sensing chamber change the electrical balance of the air. The detector’s horn will sound when the change in electrical balance reaches a preset level. The other type of detector is called photoelectric because its sensing chamber uses a beam of light and a light sensor. Smoke particles entering the chamber change the amount of light that reaches the light sensor. The detector sounds when the smoke density reaches a preset level.
The ionization detector responds faster to small smoke particles, while the photoelectric responds faster to large smoke particles. As a rule of thumb, fast-flaming fires produce more small smoke particles and smoldering fires produce more large particles. Thus, the response time of the two types of detectors will vary, depending on the mix of small and large smoke particles in the fire. But test results show that the differences in response time are small enough that both types provide enough time to escape.