We are pleased to offer you the opportunity to participate in our ride-along program. We are glad you have chosen to participate. The purpose of the program is to provide interested persons with an insight into the daily operations of our department. It is our hope you will find the experience both insightful and enjoyable. Visit our ride-along page for more information and to sign up.
How do I request a fire alarm or fire sprinkler inspection?
Are there places I should NOT install smoke alarms?
Smoke alarms are not intended to be installed in excessively dust or smoky areas. For instance, they should not be installed in unheated attic spaces, crawl spaces or carports.
How often should I change the batteries in a smoke alarms?
Twice a year, or when the smoke alarm chirps. (See below). The recommended practice is when you change your clocks; you change the batteries in your smoke alarms.
Where can I find car seat safety check information?
Smoke alarms are designed to chirp every minute or so as a warning that the battery is failing and that the smoke alarm is going to stop working.
If you have changed the battery and the smoke alarm still emits the chirp, the smoke alarm may need cleaning or to be replaced. (See below).
Where do I take old fire extinguishers?
Old fire extinguishers can be disposed of at the Eagle County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Anyone living in their own home, apartment or condominium may dispose of residential household waste at no charge up to 20 items at a time.
How should I clean my smoke alarms? How often?
You can refer to the manufacturer’s instructions; however common practice is to use the bristle attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Try cleaning smoke alarms if they are chirping, but at the very least you should clean them when you change the batteries.
Where do I take old propane tanks?
Old propane tanks can be disposed of at the Eagle County Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Anyone living in their own home, apartment or condominium may dispose of residential household waste at no charge up to 20 items at a time.
How should I test my smoke alarms?
Every smoke alarms is equipped with a test button. The National Fire Protection Association and Vail Fire & Emergency Services recommend that people test the smoke alarms in their home once a month.
Smoke alarms should be replaced when they are between 7 and 10 years old. The age of the smoke alarm can be determined by checking the date of manufacture on the back of the smoke alarm.
Smoke alarms that fail to respond to test button activation or are damaged should be replaced immediately.
Where do I find Knox Box information?
Knox Box Information
All properties equipped with a monitored fire alarm system are required to have an approved key box on the exterior of the property. Location shall be approved by VFES.
Key boxes shall be furnished by the Knox Company and can be ordered through them electronically. Duplex and multi-family occupancies are permitted to share a single key box.
Key boxes are not required to be equipped with monitored tamper switches. Master keys and key cards are required to be presented for installation in the key box at final inspection.
Keys will not be accepted by VFES personnel except when on property and in the presence of a contractor or responsible party. Keys will be clearly marked as to what doors they will operate.
Contact VFES Prevention Office for further guidance if needed.
