When interconnected smoke alarms are installed, it is important that all of the alarms are from the same manufacturer. If the alarms are not compatible, they may not sound.
Testing and Certification: Smoke detectors are tested and certified as systems, so mixing brands might void warranties or certifications. For optimal safety and functionality, it's advisable to use smoke detectors of the same brand and model when interconnecting them.
If your home has hardwire connections, then you should replace the alarms with hardwired smoke alarms of the same manufacturer. You can use a different manufacturer, but this may require an electrician to come in and wire in a different plug (also see the interconnection section below).
You cannot mix and match alarms from different manufacturers or different models of alarms from the same manufacturer. So just match the wiring at all the new alarms.
All modern hardwired First Alert, Onelink, and BRK alarms use the same wiring technology, and can interconnect. It's also safe to mix and match several types of hardwired detector, like a photoelectric smoke alarm near the kitchen and a heat detector near the garage.
Updating Hardwired Smoke Detectors
The answer to this question depends on a few factors. In general, hardwired smoke detectors that are designed for the same voltage and are compatible with the same wiring configuration can be interchangeable. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind.
Professional Installation: While DIY installation is possible, many homeowners opt to hire a qualified electrician or fire safety professional to install their fire alarm system. A professional can ensure that the installation meets all safety standards and regulations, providing peace of mind.
All mains powered smoke alarms can be interlinked, as well as some battery alarms. Mains powered smoke alarms can be interlinked via a radio signal (for RF alarms) or via a signal wire for alarms that do not have RF, such as Kidde, Aico Ei & FireAngel.
If I replace my smoke detector do I need to replace the bracket and wires? In most cases, the mounting bracket and wires used to connect a smoke detector to the ceiling and power, are proprietary to the brand or model so you'll need to replace the mounting bracket and the wire harness (plug).
Smoke alarms should be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture. Combo smoke/CO alarms should be replaced after 5-7 years (depending on the model).
Since no one can predict what type of fire might start in their home, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every home and place where people sleep have: Both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR. Dual-sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
Test smoke alarms every month by pressing their test buttons. If your alarms use regular batteries, swap in fresh batteries at least once a year. A “chirping” sound means that it's time to change batteries. Because alarm sensors wear out, replace each alarm at least every 10 years.
When interconnected smoke alarms are installed, it is important that all of the alarms are from the same manufacturer. If the alarms are not compatible, they may not sound.
Put simply, a smoke alarm detects smoke and sounds an alarm. A smoke detector is strictly a sensing device only, which senses the products of combustion (smoke) and sends a signal to a building's fire alarm system to activate an audible, and sometimes visual warning or alarm.
In an interconnected cluster, the expected behaviour is when one of the interconnected smoke detector is triggered, all other interconnected smoke detectors in the same cluster will go into alarm mode as well. Here's how to identify which is the interconnected smoke detector that is first triggered.
You can mix and match hardwired First Alert, BRK, and Onelink models. All of our current models use the same wiring harness and connector. We do not recommend mixing different brands since we can only guarantee the performance of First Alert and BRK alarms.
There isn't a one size fits all answer for this, as the number of alarms and their positioning will depend on the Building Regulations for your region. However, ALL Building Regulations recommend that all smoke alarms should be interlinked, and fire detection systems should be provided in accordance with BS 5839-6.
Changing the Batteries in Your Smoke Alarm
As we have mentioned, the most common reason a smoke alarm chirps is because it needs a new battery. Thankfully, it's easy to change a smoke alarm's battery.
Hardwired interconnection
There are many 240 volt smoke alarms that can be interconnected by using an additional wire which is laid alongside the 240v wiring at the time of installation. This wire connects all the smoke alarms together so that if one activates they all do.
If you choose to have a mains-powered alarm, make sure it's installed by a qualified electrician.
Yes, but there are differences in installing a hard-wired smoke detector vs battery operated. A battery-powered smoke detector installation is simple, and anyone can install one. You'll need a stepladder and drill, and typically, there are four screws to place the base plate of the smoke detector on the wall.
If your smoke alarm is chirping or beeping regularly and you have verified that the battery is good, the fire alarm may be faulty, or it may be time to replace it. Many smoke alarms have a set life span of seven to 10 years due to the type of material used for the ionization process.
The national average cost for installing a smoke detector is between $70 and $150, with most people paying around $112 to install a dual hardwired detector. At the low end of the spectrum, you pay around $44 for a battery-operated ionization detector.