"Pro-Tip...", Swapping Out Wired Smoke Alarms
Vložit
- čas přidán 10. 05. 2021
- In this "Pro-Tip..." segment, the Fire Bureau's Colin Cumesty walks us through some of the "great to know" tips that will make our interconnected smoke alarm replacement swap an easier DiY project.
If you are a Knox County (TN) resident and you need assistance with your smoke alarm swaps or have questions about your smoke alarms. Please follow this link, complete the form and one of our Fire and Life Safety Educators will contact you.
For Smoke Alarm Requests and Installations:
knoxcounty.org/fire/forms/smo...
I hate hardwired smoke alarms. Both times we had them, in less than 2 years they started chirping in the middle of the night. At least w/ the independent ones, if it fails in the middle of the night, as they do, you only have to deal with that one then the rest during the day.
It's 2023 and I've just discovered that my alarms required replacing in 2005. I didn't realise that they had a "sell by" date. That means they were out of date before we moved in here in 2006. Thankfully they've been replaced and we're all well again.
Smoke detectors should have standardized wire connectors and brackets.
I just bought 5 new smoke only detectors from 1st Alert at Lowes. I replaced old units that were hard wired. Rooms A-B-C are in a row. I replaced room A without a problem. I then went into Room C and plugged in another unit and the alarms all started beeping. I put a different unit into Room C and it still did it. I figured out that Room B is still an old unit and replaced that one. Then went and installed Room C again, and now they all work fine. I'm no electrician, but I believe that since the wired units are in series A-B-C.....it sensed that B was still and old unit and not compatible. Once I installed the middle room, they all worked. I almost had to call an electrician and spend some money. Glad I figured it out. I was a NY cop for 28 years and I can't tell you how many homes/apartments I went into had chirping alarms, that had been chirping so long that the occupants didn't even hear the annoyance. Stupid people out there.
These interconnected smoke alarms are the worst. I've since replaced them all with stand alone. It would take hours by trial and error to figure out which one was tripping all of them to go off.
Smoke alarm compatability is a racket :)
Is there a brand where only the one that detects a faulty issue is flashing its light instead of trying to figure out which smoke detector is the faulty one as they are all alarming?
How about manufacturers using a rechargeable circuit in these A/C connected units, so that you don't have to STILL replace a f*cking battery when they start chirping at 3AM in a 14' tall cathedral ceiling? I'm thinking target practice with an air rifle is probably the better solution.
If anyone would care for additional escape time from a fire, you may want to install models that comply with ULs updated smoke alarm / detector standards: 217, 8th edition & 268, 7th edition. Otherwise, installing an obsolete technology, like ionization, may cost you your life due to their unreliability & delayed sounding times. There are plenty of lawsuits involving the failure of ionization type smoke alarms & a class action one now in CA. This is more important than sticking with what came with the house. Let's help our fire departments by using more advanced smoke detection technology.
I drop off my used batteries at my local public library.
I am so glad I found this, specifically the part about the existence of adapters! I did not know that was possible, and was worried I would need to do re-wiring when replacing my old detectors. Hopefully I won't have to re-wire!
Thank you for explaining in detail along with demonstrating how to switch out s/cm detector. Very helpful to a new homeowner. Even the added tip of how to dispose of batteries.
Thank you this was so helpful. I didn’t know about the adapters or being able to buy ones that match the plug you have.
Wow how happy I am to have found this video, I was thinking I'd have to rewire my five or call an electrician, googled videos on it and found this video. I saw the part about to adapter for these and wala for less then $15 I had them ready to go. So thanks from Okaloosa county in Florida for the great information from Knox county!
Thank you very much for this video. I have no knowledge about smoke detectors, this was very helpful!!!
Thank you very much for this video. I bought new smoke detectors and my wiring didn't match. Your video showed me the adaptors and my home depot had them. Keep up the good work.
Excellent presentation!
Thank you! This was very helpful.
Thank you very much it was very helpful.🙏
You just saved me so much money! The Electrician quoted $320 Cdn. to swap out 4.