Smoke alarms are required in all residential dwellings (single family homes, multifamily homes, hotels, rental properties, dormitories, etc.). Smoke alarms in newly constructed or renovated dwellings are required to be hardwired with a battery back-up, interconnected, and UL-listed.
In many communities, it's actually now required by law for smoke and CO detectors to be hardwired due to new electrical codes. If your home still has battery-operated alarms, depending on where you live your home might be up to code.
In 1989 NFPA 74 first required smoke alarms to be interconnected in every new home construction, and 1993 NFPA 72 first required that smoke alarms be installed in all bedrooms. The NFPA began requiring the replacement of smoke detectors after ten years in 1999.
The Drawbacks
Firstly, wireless smoke alarms are generally battery-powered, so they require battery changes every few years. Otherwise, they may fail to detect a fire in the event of a power outage.
If you're considering upgrading your smoke alarms, you might want to look into hard-wired photoelectric rechargeable smoke alarms. These state-of-the-art devices eliminate the need for frequent battery changes, providing you with peace of mind for the entire lifespan of the alarm.
If your home was built after 1986, it will have at least one hard wired smoke alarm connected directly to your electrical panel. It is not acceptable to replace a hard wired alarm with one that is battery operated.
All new constructions and major renovations require hardwired 240-volt smoke alarms. An existing dwelling with 240-volt smoke alarms must replace them when required with 240-volt photoelectric type smoke alarms.
Wireless smoke alarm systems must be battery operated. The batteries must be capable of powering normal device operation for one year and have an audible low battery signal. A signal between smoke alarms must be transmitted at least every 200 seconds.
Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors come in both wired and wireless options.
Battery-powered detectors are wireless, which means they can be installed anywhere. They typically use replaceable batteries (usually 9-volt or AA) or lithium batteries that are sealed inside and last 10 years. Plug-in detectors receive power from an outlet.
All smoke alarms must be inter-linked either through a wired or wireless system. They must be mains powered or have a tamper-proof lifetime battery. All alarms should be ceiling mounted and regularly maintained and tested.
4 Battery-Powered Smoke Alarms Installed on or After January 1, 2022. On and after January 1, 2022, where smoke alarms that are solely battery powered are allowed by the exceptions to Section 14X-5-504.8. 1 or 14X-5-504.8. 3, such smoke alarms must be powered by self-contained, non-removable, long term batteries.
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.
Can I install a hardwired smoke detector myself? While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Working with your home's electrical system can be dangerous and complex, best left to a qualified electrician.
The specific gravity of Carbon Monoxide is 0.9657 (with normal air being 1.0), this means that it will float up towards the ceiling because it is lighter than regular air.
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.
Smoke alarms must be hard-wired to mains electricity supply, or powered by a non-removable 10-year long-life battery (landlord's choice). They must be installed on every storey.
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the California Building Code, at least one smoke detector needs to be placed in each of the following areas of your home: On Every Floor Level. In Every Bedroom. In Every Hallway Outside of a Bedroom.
Smoke alarms need to be hard-wired with a 120-volt power supply. Battery back-up is also required. They must also be interconnected (sound in all areas when activated.
Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night? This is likely due to one of the common causes like low battery, dirt buildup, humidity, or insects interfering with the sensor.
Smoke detectors last up to 10 years, at which point it's best to replace them for your safety. Replace smoke detectors that chirp constantly, fail a test, go off for no reason, or have been recalled.
The Benefits of Mains Powered Fire Alarms
British Standards will always recommend a hardwired alarm which utilises either a user-replaceable battery, or a tamper proof lithium-ion battery.
On average, a 9V battery in a smoke detector will last between six months to a year, depending on several factors.