About Us

what we do

be prepared

Having worked as an electrician for nearly three decades, I had the responsibility of wiring new construction homes. Without getting any proper training on where to place the boxes for home detectors, I was required to make sure they were fit in correctly. I was instructed to place smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside of bedrooms, each floor and the highest point of my house. Upon installation, I had no knowledge about the distinction between ionization and photoelectric alarms. From what I understand, the boss purchased the least expensive option – ionization detectors. They do their job, but they take longer to detect smoke compared to other options. In any case, at least they had them interconnected throughout the home.

firefighter stories
The 85dB Project was set up to provide everyone with the same precious life-saving sound in the event of an emergency. As a firefighter, I have had many harrowing house fire call experiences - one of those left a lasting impression on me. I recall that one house fire in which three boys were trapped in the upstairs of there home. As we made our way to the call, the only thing on our minds was to get those three children out alive. We headed to the house and hurried up the stairs, praying we would be able to reach them in time. The room was filled with unbreathable, hazardous smoke and fumes. Three boys were lying in beds placed one after another, the eldest being at the first bed. Sadly, he did not wake up as he had breathed his last in his sleep. In the middle was an adolescent boy and at the last was a young one. The middle bed was empty when we reached it; looks like he woke up and left. Moving onto the third bed, the youngest of the three boys, we discovered that the middle-aged one had awoken in his bed; gone to stand near the only window in the room. The memory of that fire will stay with me forever. That night, he chose to put his younger brother's safety before his own and laid his body down as a shield against the intense smoke and heat in an attempt to save him. Despite their courage, they ultimately both perished in the blaze. The tragedy likely occurred because a heater was blocking the stairs leading to safety. Unfortunately, there wasn't any smoke detector in use upstairs, and the only one working was positioned in the parents' room downstairs. Had an 85dB smoke alarm been set off, those boys might have had a chance of surviving. The single smoke detector in the parents' bedroom did very little to protect the boys as the fire began upstairs. Sadly, by the time it had spread to that downstairs smoke detector, the entire upstairs was filled with dangerous and toxic smoke and gases. 85dB Project has given me an extra boost of motivation to keep going and create a sound that could potentially be life-saving in the homes of many people.

protect your loved ones

why 85 decibels

The 85dB Project is working to create a certified program for individuals who are installing home detectors. Through this program, participants will receive training on the best placement techniques and which type of detector should be used in different scenarios. This certification process will enable individuals to become knowledgeable about home detector installation and ensure that they are providing the highest quality service. We believe that knowledge has the power to transform lives and communities. We are committed to helping Electricians, Firefighters, Home Inspectors, Electrical Inspectors, Building Inspectors and Handymen stay up-to-date in their respective fields by providing comprehensive training courses that cover all aspects of their jobs. Our objective is to ensure that every one of these professionals has the skills they need to succeed in their roles.

Home safety is paramount and having the right type of detector installed in your home is key to ensuring that any potential fire or carbon monoxide danger is identified and acted upon. Unfortunately, there is currently no structured training available for placement and different types of home detectors as specified by NFPA. This leaves many homeowners in the dark with regards to what type of detector would be best suited to their needs. It is vital that clear guidance and information are provided so that homeowners can make informed decisions about their safety and make sure they have the right kind of detector installed.

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