View Full Version : Smoke detector batteries
Tried changing them since it's recommended that you do so every year. I'd written 12/15 on the batteries in them so they were definitely due but not beeping. Well, now with the new batteries they ARE beeping. I've run into this every time I have ever changed the batteries in these stupid f*I&*ing things. I've done the whole, unplug it, take out the battery, hold the button down for a long time, put the battery back in, thing and they still always beep. Am I the only one with this problem? At this point I'm pretty much ready to just gamble that our building is not likely to burn down.
Smoke detectors have an effective lifespan of about 10 years. If yours are getting up in age, I'd consider replacing them. You can get inexpensive models now that do not ever require battery replacement during their lifespan, and that have carbon monoxide detectors as well. (*)
(Also, dust accumulates around the sensors making them either less effective, or falsely triggering them, blowing them clean with compressed air/dusting them is a good regular maintenance item.)
(*) I have a suspicion that after a certain age, you are more likely to die by falling off the stepstool/ladder you are using to change the battery with than you are to perish in a fire...
(*) I have a suspicion that after a certain age, you are more likely to die by falling off the stepstool/ladder you are using to change the battery with than you are to perish in a fire...
Ha! That's for sure!
I just asked dh to replace the detectors in our two homes. He says the N.C. home just got replaced, but I remember NOT buying new and just replacing batteries. They are twelve years old. The reason for not replacing - dh is a contractor and can get them at supply house pricing which is much less than retail. Sometimes there's not much pricing difference but in this case there is. He didn't remember it this way, so I've dropped a reminder note into our travel box to check next time we're there.
FL detectors are of unknown age. Again, dh indicates they are six years old and I'm unconvinced. I'll take a look tomorrow.
Where does time go? As we get older I find that discussions such as this occur with us quite frequently.
They are so inexpensive now there’s not much reason to put off replacing them.
They are so inexpensive now there’s not much reason to put off replacing them.
What if they are hardwired, require the services of an electrician, and then a visit from a city inspector?
This is what's required if I ever want to sell the house. The government seems to spend a lot of time passing laws mandating inspections that net them fees.
Edited to remove my off topic rant.
I wouldn't bother with hardwired ones at this point.
What if they are hardwired, require the services of an electrician, and then a visit from a city inspector?
This is what's required if I ever want to sell the house. The government seems to spend a lot of time passing laws mandating inspections that net them fees.
Edited to remove my off topic rant.
You might have to do that for a sale - but you should be able to buy and replace hardwired units on your own. Most hardwires these days also have batteries that need to be replaced regularly.
Detectors should have date of manufacture on them - if they don't, they are old (newer ones all have dates) and should be replaced.
If you can't I'd recommend getting non-hardwired units and putting them up. Also recommend getting combo detectors (smoke and CO). Per Red Cross (I've done dozens of installs as Red Cross) once a detector goes off you have like 2 minutes to get out before you probably won't. You need them to be working correctly.
SteveinMN
12-11-17, 2:49pm
I've replaced our hard-wired detectors and those in the rental property as well. No big deal, at least for Kidde brand detectors. No electrician or inspector needed here -- at least for that. Yes, it's a matter for inspection at sale time (and every few years at the rental property), but they're looking at lots of other things at that time.
bae, have CO detectors changed recently? My understanding was that their usable lifespan was somewhere between 5 and 7 years; buying CO detection as part of a 10-year smoke detector/CO combo unit seems like a bit of a pig in a poke.
Most of the combo units I've looked at are claiming a 10 year lifespan for the CO detector as well (much of the Kidde line, for instance).
Mine says replace by 2004 but when I press the test button it sounds the alarm. My other test mechanism over the years has been to burn food, but I've been better at cooking lately.
Mine says replace by 2004 but when I press the test button it sounds the alarm.
That is only testing the electrical connection between the test button and the alarm buzzer. The sensor that detects particulates is likely greatly reduced in functionality at this point - the button does not test that.
Seriously - replace it.
And sleep with your bedroom doors closed.
There is no heat in my bedroom. I rely on warmth moving into the room from other parts of the house, which won't happen if the door is closed.
My other test mechanism over the years has been to burn food, but I've been better at cooking lately.
Yes, the old "dinner's done!" alarm. That's how we test ours from time to time too. Come to think of it, it's been awhile since the dinner alarm has gone off. Not sure if we're getting better at cooking or if the detector is losing it's detective abilities. The date on them all is april 2009 so they're reaching the end of their lives. Perhaps we'll splurge on some new ones with the ten year batteries. I don't particularly care if they are interconnected. If one goes off we will hear it everywhere in our place.
We bought new detectors, but the wrong kind. DS then tested the existing alarms but burning things under them and the alarms went off. Returned the new detectors as we appear to be in no imminent danger.
The store he went to did not have a hardwired smoke/carbon monoxide detector combination.
(*) I have a suspicion that after a certain age, you are more likely to die by falling off the stepstool/ladder you are using to change the battery with than you are to perish in a fire...
Yep, we need to use a ten foot ladder to access the smoke detector on our second floor. So that's hauling the ladder from our garage, up two flights of stairs, set up the ladder, then I am on the one to climb it as DH can't handle heights. I told DH the last time I did it was the last time. Smoke detectors need replacing anyway so they are getting replaced with the combo ones with the 10 year batteries.
They are hardwired and we will need an electrician. I don't do electric and neither does DH plus there's that tall vaulted ceiling on the second floor. Since we expect to sell in the next few years, might as well get the hardwired ones in and make it one less thing to change come selling time.
Finally replaced the smoke detectors with combo ones. Better late than never. But DIY was very stressful. DS started late in the evening, it was taking longer than he expected, and he didn't want to continue hammering and drilling past the noise ordinance hour, and insisted on leaving the power off all night amidst high heat and humidity as some of the units were old and some new and he was worried the incompatibility could start a fire. So not much sleep that night. We are still frazzled and at odds. Maybe not only falling off a ladder is a greater risk than fire, but so is the impact of the stress from doing the changeover. The things we own own us.
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