When should you replace smoke detectors?

Written by Wilj Sturkey | 08 April 2011

When should you replace smoke detectors (instead of just changing batteries)?  Home Inspector Greg Allen has some tips for you.

I am sure that you have heard the common advice to change the batteries in your smoke detectors every year and using the change from daylights savings time to standard time as a yearly reminder. But before you buy the new batteries, maybe you should ask yourself, “How old are the smoke detectors?” If the smoke detectors are more than 10 years old, they should be replaced. Older smoke detectors have less sensitivity and therefore need to be replaced after 10 years. Some of the newer smoke detectors come with a ten-year lifespan battery that is not replaceable. When the battery becomes weak, you will hear the familiar chirping sound. At this point you simply replace the detector.

In new construction today the building codes for smoke detectors have changed. Today a smoke detector is required to be located inside every bedroom. This is in addition to there being a smoked detector located within 12 feet of the bedroom door, and at least one smoke detector for every 1200 square feet of every living level, and one in the basement even if it is unfinished. Also all smoke detectors within a home need to be interconnected. What this means is that if one smoke detector sounds off they all will sound off.                 

Today there are smoke detectors that are interconnected wirelessly, so that older homes can be updated without having to be rewired. This can be very helpful in homes with bedrooms far apart from each other, such as a home with bedrooms in a basement, as well as the second floor. Smoke detector manufactures also make detectors that are designed to be located near a kitchen area. They are less likely to sound off from everyday cooking.             Another related topic is carbon monoxide detectors. Today’s building codes require that every home have a carbon monoxide detector even if the home has no gas service. The reason for this is to protect the occupants of the home if carbon monoxide becomes a problem inside the home due to the use of a gas generator, or from the fumes of an outdoor grill working their way into a home. There are now combination smoke detectors available that will also sense carbon monoxide and sound off an alert. For most homes a carbon monoxide detector located near the bedrooms will be sufficient. Carbon monoxide tends to make you sleepy and if you fall asleep with high levels of carbon monoxide in the home you may die before you wake up.

               Remember that there is no law requiring you to update your home to the latest building standards unless you are remodeling or renovating the home. When you obtain a building permit you can find out what areas of the building code regarding smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors you will have to meet. However if you do update your home, you will be making it a safer home for little expense. If you have further questions regarding smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors you can contact Gregg Allen of Total Home Inspections at 770-745-7574 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .