Smoke Detectors How-To Guide

Smoke Detectors

Overview
Maintenance
Questions/Answers
Articles

To maintain the effectiveness, safety, and useful life of your smoke detectors (smoke alarms), it is important that your home maintenance program include the proper maintenance for your smoke detectors.

Smoke detectors (smoke alarms) generally come in two designs based on the type of smoke sensors they use: "photo-electric" sensors or "ionization" sensors. A photo-electric detector uses a tiny light source that shines on a light-sensitive sensor. The alarm is triggered when smoke particles from a fire breaks the beam of light. An ionization detector uses an extremely small quantity of radioactive material to make the air inside the smoke detector conduct electricity. Smoke particles from a fire interfere with the electrical current, and therefore triggers the alarm. See also: Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

Shown in the "Maintenance" tab above are the recommended routine maintenance tasks for your smoke detectors (smoke alarms). The "Questions / Answers" tab above shows our answers to related questions. And the "Articles" tab above provides links to related informational articles and sources.

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		Maintenance Task #1: Clean and test smoke detectors

		How do you clean and test smoke detectors?
		Clean smoke detectors using a vacuum cleaner attachment to remove dust and cobwebs. If possible, carefully vacuum inside the unit as well. Press the test button on the smoke detector to see if the alarm goes off. Depending on the manufacture of your unit, the button may only test the warning sound, but may not check the internal smoke detection circuitry. Some units, however, have more sophisticated test systems that simulate the presence of smoke in the chamber. Check the instructions of the detector to see if it has this feature. Avoid lighting matches or candles under the detector to see is the alarm goes off, as repeated use of smoke to activate the detector can cause them to fail and not be available to operate during a real fire.

		Why is it important to clean and test smoke detectors?
		Smoke detectors are a very important safety device. Cleaning helps ensure better operations, and testing helps to ensure that the unit is operating properly.

		How often should you clean and test smoke detectors?
		Perform at least twice per year (March and September).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderate from an investment of time standpoint. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on the number of spoke detectors in your home. You will need a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to complete the task.

		The benefits of this task are high, in that it helps to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detectors for protecting you and your home.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #2: Replace batteries

		How do you replace batteries in a smoke detector?
		Check your manufacturer's recommendations, but the battery in most smoke detectors should be replaced once per year, even where the smoke detector is wired in and the battery acts only as a back-up power supply.

		Why is it important to replace batteries in a smoke detector?
		Batteries deteriorate over time and need to be replaced to ensure proper operation of the smoke detector.

		How often should you replace batteries in a smoke detector?
		Perform annually (September).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is low. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30 minutes to complete, and once you have done it once, the the task is relatively easy to do. No specialized tools are required, but you will need to have purchased the appropriate size batteries for your units.

		The benefits of this task are high, in that it helps to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detectors for protecting you and your home.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #3: Replace smoke detector

		How do you replace smoke detector?
		Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association, and the US Fire Administrator.

		Why is it important to replace smoke detectors?
		The units will accumulate significant levels of dust, dirt, and debris and cannot be safely serviced by you.

		How often should you replace smoke detectors?
		Perform every 10 years (September). If your house or building is over 10 years old, and you have never replaced the smoke detectors, then they should be replaced.

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderate, depending on how many smoke detectors that you have in your home.

		The benefits of this task are high, in that it helps to ensure the safe operation of your smoke detectors for protecting you and your home.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):

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