Hard Wired Smoke Detectors Expire... who knew?

[roo_ster]

I can here the alarm in the garage from every room in my house.  But then my house is the size of an average newly built home...built in 1960.  Gonna test one in the attic soon.  I bet i will hear it.

[roo_ster]

Found some!
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kidde-Battery-Operated-Wireless-Inter-Connectable-Smoke-Alarm-RF-SM-DC/100655041
https://www.amazon.com/First-Alert-SA501CN2-Interconnected-Wireless/dp/B000FBQC1K
https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-RF-SM-DC-Wireless-Interconnect-Battery-Operated/dp/B00PC5S37K

Expect to pay $30-40 per.

In the attic I think I'd want a wired alarm just because the battery is less likely to be replaced on schedule.  A wired alarm with a lithium battery in it shouldn't need the battery replaced until you're replacing all the alarms again.

If you have a wired system that you're expanding, you'll need an interconnect.
https://www.amazon.com/Kidde-RF-SM-AC-Hardwire-Wireless-Interconnect/dp/B00PC5S5UK/

$55

Then again, the 80usd three pack of the battery inteeconnected alarms would be perfect...one in garage, one in attic, one in hallway outside of bedroom.  All others inside house can be independent.

[Sawdust]

Everything that I've ever read about SA placement (including the NFPA) is to NOT put them in garages or attics.

[HankB]

My new house has hard wired detectors, and I didn't realize they also had batteries.

A little less than 2 years after moving in, I found out the batteries needed to be changed when the alarms started sounding at 0300. Not the learning experience I really wanted.

Then about 9 years after moving in, the detectors started chirping . . . again, at around 0300. That's when I found out the "average" life span of these detectors was "about" 10 years. Seems mine were on the short side of the "average."

This was 11 years ago . . . I replaced all six detectors then. Pretty easy, since the new ones fit the old wiring and old sockets. No problems since.

(Hmmm . . . 11 years on 10 year average life span detectors. Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . )

[Ben]

My new house has hard wired detectors, and I didn't realize they also had batteries.

A little less than 2 years after moving in, I found out the batteries needed to be changed when the alarms started sounding at 0300. Not the learning experience I really wanted.

Then about 9 years after moving in, the detectors started chirping . . . again, at around 0300. That's when I found out the "average" life span of these detectors was "about" 10 years. Seems mine were on the short side of the "average."

This was 11 years ago . . . I replaced all six detectors then. Pretty easy, since the new ones fit the old wiring and old sockets. No problems since.

(Hmmm . . . 11 years on 10 year average life span detectors. Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . )

Interesting. I wonder if that's why my sister's kept chirping after battery replacement - built in "life alarm"? Her house is only six years old, but who knows how long the detectors were in the builder's warehouse?

[MillCreek]

This thread has helped me to realize something.  I have a hardwired smoke detector at the ceiling peak of the entry/living room.  26 feet up, which is higher than my highest extension ladder.  I am going to hire someone to replace it when the time comes.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

Put the ladder on top of 2 osha approved drywall buckets for extra height

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[KD5NRH]

26 feet up, which is higher than my highest extension ladder.

Well within pistol range, though.

[MillCreek]

Put the ladder on top of 2 osha approved drywall buckets for extra height

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I see that you grasp the key factor here: the buckets are OSHA-approved.

[MillCreek]

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

I see that you grasp the key factor here: the buckets are OSHA-approved.

The only words that strike more fear on a job site than "la migra !"
Is "the Osha guy is here about the accident"

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