Smoke detectors have limited life span!

[Mark42]

I called the manufacturer of the smoke detectors in my house to find out if the existing ones are compatable with a smoke/Carbon Monoxide detector I wanted to add to the basement near the boiler (they are all interconnected where if one goes off they all go off). As part of the conversation the rep tells me the existing models are over 10 years old and need to be replaced because they will fail to perform properly. That was a surprise! I never gave any thought to detectors going bad from age.<br /><br />Another interesting and important point is that if the smoke/CO detector in the basement went off for CO detection, NONE OF THE SMOKE ONLY DETECTORS WILL GO OFF! That too was a surprise. Turns out the detectors send different signals through the interconection wire so they can differentiate between alarm sources. So a interconnected CO detector will only trip other CO detectors, and smoke detectors will only trip other smoke detectors. So to make the smoke/CO detector in the basement worthwile I had to replace a smoke only detector on the second floor with a smoke/CO detector so that when the basement unit goes off for CO detection, one will go off on the second floor too. Otherwise we will not be able to hear the one in the basement. Those CO detectors are expensive, about $70 for a combo unit, and I ended up having to special order two of combo units I wanted (FireX brand) from Home Depot. On top of that, I now will also replace all the standard smoke only detectors with new smoke only detectors. The kitchen detector will get replaced with a special detector with a nuisance reset button so it will be silent for about 15 minutes before resetting itself. Might as well do it right!<br /><br />I figure its going to run about $210 total to replace all the detectors (that includes the two combo units) but it is worth every penny.<br /><br />BTW when testing the setup last week I found some smoke detectors will sound when another unit is tested, but will not make other units sound when it is tested. Proof in my eyes that these units are starting to fail.

 

[timfromfc]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

Thanks for the tip. A new fire station just opened down the street and I'm curious to see what they say. Like you, I've never heard of a time limit on those things.

 

[jimr]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

you can't put a price on personel safety. I knew in the back of my mind about the lifespan of a detector but forgot about it until you jogged my memory.(used to be a firefighter) I always changed them when I moved into a new rental and left them when I moved. now that I own I need to keep up with the dates. I write the date installed on the ones i put up.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

Mark thats too darn funny the house we bought in 92 needed 2 new detectors. I didn't like them as they were to soft in the horn dept. I replaced then in 94 When I opened the PKG there is a radiation warning. they have a bit of Radon in them and it fades in ten years. I figured darn thats a long time. I replaced the detectors last year!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

Realgun,<br /><br />The codes here require a detector in each bedroom, upstair hall, downstair kitchen, basement and (now), garage. So I really should add one to the garage, and that means another 75 ft or so of 14-3 wire and fishing it through from basement to garage, etc. Being a conscientious homeowner gets expensive and time consuming.

 

[KRS]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

MAJOR TIME LIMIT, the sensors in the smoke units will go bad... and the sensors in the CO will absorb CO over time and go bad.<br /><br />Ask you fire station or fire extinguisher resupply company for a can of "Smoke detector spray", this spray will cloud up the detector testing it's ability to alert you in the case of a fire.<br /><br />Most smoke detectors use an "eye" that "sees", when this eye can't see it subject (through a little window) it means that there must be something in the way (read: smoke from a fire). Sometimes bugs will crawl in there and ruin your night.<br /><br />The little test button tests the circuit and tests the alarm, but it doesn't test the "eye", only a can of smoke can do that.<br /><br />As for the CO alarm, don't test it with CO, because they are basically one-use deals, when the sensor is full of CO, it's time for a new one.<br /><br />As for those who hard-wire their detectors, replace the backup battery they are wired to, if they aren't wired to a backup battery.. then add a few battery powered ones should your power and the backup fail.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

DOH! You mean my CO detector is shot after it detects its first real CO situation? It doesn't mention that it is a one use alarm in the literature.<br /><br />BTW, hard wired detectors with battery backup just have a 9 volt battery (like a regular detector) as the backup, no external 9 volt supply.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

I test mine four times a year with real smoke. On the first day of each season (or there abouts) I grab a pack of matches and a wad of paper and test each detector. Mine are now 14yrs old and work just fine. I vacuum them regularly and replace the batteries twice a year. I'm not going to spend money on something I really don't need.<br /><br />Here is another fire safety tip that was mentioned before but I can't remember by who. Invert and shake your fire extinguishers several times a year to keep the contents from clumping in the bottom. When you need them, you don't want any surprises.

 

[KRS]

Re: Smoke detectors have limited life span!

RodC, the "older" style are much better quality... for the most part.