A handyperson in your area who is well-versed in smoke detector installation can place your battery-powered smoke detectors. You can also call a home security pro near you who can add smoke alarms to alert your household to a potential fire.
Handyman are trained in smoke detector installation and repair and know local fire and building codes to ensure the job is done correctly. Don't risk your safety with DIY smoke detector services.
Smoke detector installation costs $70 to $150 for most homeowners, and the average cost is $115. A pro can give you more specifics based on the number of smoke detectors you need, their quality, and where they're at in your home.
A professional electrician brings the knowledge and experience needed to assess your existing electrical system and apply proper installation techniques. They can verify that the new smoke detectors, ideally from the same manufacturer, are compatible and correctly installed directly into your home's circuits.
If you have a battery-operated smoke detector, your local fire department can change the batteries or help you replace the detector—just make sure you call the non-emergency number. In any case, do not let this project go unresolved, as it could turn into a huge safety issue.
Whether you choose to go with a hard-wired system or an interconnected system, your smoke detector installation should be completed by a qualified electrician. A professional will ensure that the job is done right the first time in accordance with state and local regulations and standards.
Some fire departments offer reduced-price, or even free, smoke alarms. Contact your local fire department's nonemergency phone number for more information. Your city, county or state may require a specific type of alarm. Please check with your local fire marshal for information on what type of alarm you need.
Yes, you can replace your fire alarm yourself if your existing alarm has an easi-fit base, which means there is no need to remove or re-wire the baseplate. Replacing fire alarms is an easy process that is safe to carry out by yourself.
If you choose to have a mains-powered alarm, make sure it's installed by a qualified electrician. It's also possible to fit extra automatic 'fire suppression' systems at home – that's things like sprinklers.
What Does a Beeping Fire Alarm Mean? Unless there is some kind of smoke or fire emergency, a smoke alarm beeping every 30 seconds signifies that it is low battery. Sometimes though, other environmental factors can cause the alarm to beep more than normal.
Just give the fire department a call on their non-emergency line or call the fire prevention department.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, most alarms have a life span of 8-10 years. After this time, the entire unit should be replaced. Most alarms have the date of manufacture inside the unit. If you cannot find the date, replace it.
First: How to identify if your alarm is hardwired or wireless. Hardwired: There are two LED lights on the top of the unit. One light will be solid green, this indicates that the alarm is hardwired and working.
Because alarm sensors wear out, replace each alarm at least every 10 years. Also, alarms have labels showing when they were made. If you don't see a label, the alarm is old and must be replaced. Dust and cobwebs make it harder for alarms to detect smoke.
Advanced Options: Installing a set of three hardwired smoke detectors with a new base can cost up to $398. Labor Costs: Hiring an electrician could cost anywhere between $30 to $100 an hour. It takes approximately an hour for them to install a smoke alarm – with labor accounting for roughly $40 of total costs.
Reset Your Alarm: After replacing the battery, a reset might be necessary. Disconnect the alarm, press and hold the test button for about 15 seconds, then reconnect the battery and the power. This can clear any errors the device remembers and stop the chirping.
Smoke detectors last up to 10 years, at which point it's best to replace them for your safety.
As it's unlikely that both the power and battery will fail at the same time, hard wired smoke alarms offer an extremely reliable form of protection. Furthermore, because hardwired smoke alarms are connected to the power supply, they will sound indefinitely until they are turned off.
New smoke alarms with a long lasting lithium battery have a 10 year lifespan to ensure you and your family can feel the highest level of security. Existing hard-wired, 240 volt smoke alarms must be replaced with new hard-wired smoke alarms and this can only be done by a licensed electrician.
Call 911 and report what you know.
Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation. Never paint smoke alarms.
Working smoke alarms save lives. More than 2,200 people die each year because of unintentional home fires. Almost two-thirds of these fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that don't work. A smoke alarm's warning can cut the risk of dying from a fire in your home by almost half.