How often should you change them?
2007-05-12 05:14:45 · 25 answers · asked by ali 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Reccomended you change them twice a year. Once every time the clocks change is a suggestion. It is better to be safe than sorry.
2007-05-12 05:18:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had a similar problem with a smoke detector which would go off when the steam from the kettle happened. The unit was 25ft away, and of course this is NOT smoke. Did some checking and found out that some of the detectors with certain components do this so changed ours and no problems since! Ours is not hard-wired but straight battery. Ours also has NO radio-active components in it, which we understand is the best one to have, and not just for the obvious reasons. You may have a similar problem to me because it sounds like your detectors may be reacting to heat [like the steam from my kettle] and not to a fire's CHEMICAL component, which is what a detector is supposed to sense! Take all of your detectors [the ones you took out and the ones installed] to a testing facility [check with your local council, fire authority, electricity authority, etc] for the correct one to go to, for your own peace of mind and for others who may have the same units, that COULD BE FAULTY & FATAL in the event of a fire. I am sorry for your frustration and hope you get the right help, SOON!!
2016-05-21 03:10:15 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes unless you purchased lithium batteries for the smoke detector. The batteries if you use normal Alkaline batteries should be changed about every six months. The old rule of thumb was to change them when you change your clocks, but with the change they made this year that may change. I would suggest using a date of significance for you such as your birthday, and also your half birthday as they are easy to remember. Lithium batteries are expensive but last ten years, they are great to use if the alarm is in a difficult place to reach. You should also vacuum out the alarm when you change the batteries to get dust out of it, if it is also a carbon monoxide detector let it air out in a window cell on a breezy day, put it between the screen and the window. This should cut down on false alarms since the detector is "clean".
2007-05-12 05:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by David T 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Fire service recommend that you Change them a least once a year. But some of the new smoke detectors have a battery life of 10 years. But i would say once a year, better to be safe than sorry. THEY REALLY DO SAVE LIFE'S.
2007-05-12 05:28:14 · answer #4 · answered by SR 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most detectors should run for at least two to three years on a decent battery. Press the test button, if it sounds the alarm it has power and will beep when the battery is due for replacenent.
I fit dozens of these, mains and battery type.
2007-05-12 05:26:57 · answer #5 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should change the batteries now! Ideally the batteries should last 12 months however this is not always the case. I test my detectors every month or so just to be on the safe side. When you get the batteries make sure that they are alkali batteries as these do not leak acid when flat.
2007-05-12 05:56:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There will be a testing button on each of your smoke alarms, push and hold these buttons to test your alarms, this will let you know if they are if good working order or not, (i would do this once a month anyway). It may be, if they were fitted when the house was built, that they are connected to the mains and the batteries are there as a back-up in case of power cut and therefore haven't been used as yet.
2007-05-12 22:19:18 · answer #7 · answered by Paul D 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Test your smoke detector. Most of them have a button you can push to see if the batteries are still working. However, if in doubt, just change them. They are fairly inexpensive and can save your life.
2007-05-12 05:23:04 · answer #8 · answered by Sunshine528 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Press the button, you should test it once a week if they beep fine if they don't change them. If they still don't beep with new batteries in get someone in to look at your smoke alarms fire and rescue service to fit it or a DIY savy friend.
2007-05-12 05:27:55 · answer #9 · answered by Grinning Football plinny younger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Press te test button. if it bleeps it's OK. The length of time between battery changes will vary beteween the actual type of alarm and the quality of the batteries used,I find mine on average last about 18 months.
2007-05-12 05:36:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋