Smoke Detector Replacement
What is a hard-wired smoke detector?
It is a smoke detector that is connected to mains power (power from the electrical utility). These detectors are primarily powered by standard 120V power that runs your television and other devices your home, in addition to having a battery backup.
Why is my smoke detector chirping?
The "chirp" is the periodic beep that the detector makes on a set interval. You have probably heard this noise when on a call with someone at their home. This chirp usually indicates that the battery in the detector needs to be replaced.
If the battery has been replaced, and the smoke detector is still chirping, then it is recommended that a new detector has been installed because the chirp indicates that the detector is defective.
What is the difference between a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector?
Smoke detectors are designed to alert you in case of a fire. Lack of smoke detectors in a home os one of the leading reasons that people die in house fires.
Carbon monoxide detector is designed to alert you when a gas appliance or other device that releases the gas from combustion, puts a high amount of gas in the home. The most common ways this occurs is from gas applications (e.g. hot water tank, gas stove, gas furance, etc.) is backdrafting exhaust gases into the home or a vehicle left running in a closed garage. Carbon monoxide is a odorless, colorless gas. If left undetected, it can loss of consciounesss, weakness, dizziness, and other symptoms including death.
How often should smoke detectors be replaced?
They should be replaced about every 10 years or when they are defective. If you are unsure when the detector was installed, check the label on the back or side of the detector. If the date listed on the detector is over 10 years ago, then we recommend that it be replaced with a new one.
Where should smoke detectors be located?
There should be at least one smoke detector on each floor. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends that there be at least one smoke detector in or near each sleeping area, outside of each sleeping area, and one on each level of the building.
Why is it when one detector goes off, all of them go off?
Modern smoke detectors are made so that they can communicate with each other. They communicate via wire or wireless methods. The most common way that this is accomplished is through the use of a communication wire. When a detector identifies smoke goes off, it sends and continues sending a signal that smoke has been detected so that the other connected detectors sound their alarms as well. If the smoke clears the initial detector will stop sending the signal and thus the other detectors will silence themselves.
The same goes for when one or more detectors need to have their batteries replaced when they all chirp. When one of them chirp, we recommend that all of the smoke detector batteries be replaced at the same time, instead of trying to find and replacing the one that has the bad battery.
I had a roof leak and the smoke detector started chriping or going off. What should I do?
If the smoke detector is going off and will not silence even when there is no smoke or pressing the silence button, we recommend that the power connected to the smoke detector be disconnected. Then as soon as possible, we recommend that the smoke detectors be replaced.
Smoke detectors are not designed to get wet. If they do become wet, then they are subject to developing internal faults and shorts that cannot be easily fixed. If you have a smoke detector that has gotten wet, we recommend replacing it with a new one.