Basement Remodeling

Just like your kitchen and garage basements can also be a place for dangerous  fire hazards, carbon monoxide poisoning, and gas leaks. When you remodel your basement there are some things you can do to help make it safer.

 The first is make sure you follow all of the local codes to ensure everything you do is safe. This will help lower the odds of having an electrical fire due to poor or improper installation of outlets, switches, breakers or light fixtures. Electrical circuits that are overused can be a serious fire hazard. Never bypass a circuit breaker which would create a potential fire risk. If a circuit breaker keeps blowing the fuse find the problem and fix it before you move on. If the fuse blows there is likely a hazard. It is important that appliances like microwaves, air conditioners, fridges, and freezers each get their own circuit to avoid overload. For more help you can try this book Complete Guide to Wiring  it should help you with your electrical questions from start to finish.

When completing your rough electrical make sure you install Smoke Detectors in the basement and connect them to the rest of the house if possible. That way if there is a fire in the basement it will also set off the smoke alarms upstairs and in your bedrooms. The manufacturer Kidde also makes a Smoke Detector w/Voice Warning & Combination Carbon Monoxide Detector which is the model I now use when finishing basements.

You can also take advantage of this time to hardwire in a Carbon Monoxide detector. You can also install a plug in wall mount Carbon Monoxide detector after the basement is finished. Either one could be a lifesaver if for some reason your furnace was working improperly and releasing this poisonous gas into the basement. You cannot see or smell the CO-2 and by time you realize there is a problem it may be too late especially if your kids are using the basement. You can also purchase a Gas Detector for natural gas leaks.

Whether your basement is finished or not you need to make sure it is free of other common fire hazards. Usually you can find materials like papers and plastics, and other misc combustible items in the basement and sometimes even flammable liquids. You need to make sure they are stored in a safe place in your basement, garage, or outside ( best place for flammable liquids or gases ). You should always keep a fire extinguiser in the basement for added protection.

The most important areas are the furnace room ,the electric panel, and hot water tanks. Never stack items within 3 feet of all sides of any of this equipment. The furnace and hot water tanks need room to breathe. This will help keep anything form igniting if the equipment  has a malfunction. Same goes for the electric panel as a malfunction there could also cause a fire. Do not keep any flammable liquids  in the equipment areas. Most of the fumes from flammable liquids are heavier than air and will accumulate low on the floor. The fumes would build up and sudden tiny spark from your furnace or hot water tank could set the fumes off in a violent explosion. A safer place for flammables is in your garage or outside in a storage shed. Where ever they are also keep them out of children’s reach.

Remember check your electrical, add smoke detectors - CO-2 detectors, Clean utility areas from combustible materials and keep any gas cans, lawn mowers, propane tanks, or other potential risks out of the basement all together if possible. Always have a Fire Extinguiser in the basement.