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.
Smoke alarm types
Ten-year sealed battery smoke alarms are the best option for most people. Smoke alarms with one year batteries need a new battery every year, which is easy to forget.
An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires (imagine a fire where you can see the flame), while a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoking, smoldering fires (such as a cigarette).
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.
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.
Overall, we recommend the First Alert SA3210 because it combines photoelectric and ionization sensors that detect low and smoky fires as well as high flames. It's also battery-operated, so it's easy to install. If you're looking for a bargain, the Kidde I9030 is a basic smoke detector that does the job at low cost.
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.
"Replace all smoke alarms, including those that use ten-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are ten years old or sooner if they don't respond properly when tested." Each smoke detector should be replaced 10 years after the date of installation.
Photoelectric smoke detectors are typically more sensitive to particles generated by fires that smolder, such as those ignited by a cigarette in a bed or upholstery. Ionization smoke detectors tend to be more sensitive to particles generated by flaming fires, such as burning paper or grease.
The two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke detection and photoelectric smoke detection. Ionization smoke alarms are generally more responsive to flaming fires.
Cons of Ionization Smoke Detectors
Prone to False Alarms: Ionization detectors are notorious for their sensitivity. This can often lead to false alarms. Ionization detectors can also be triggered by cooking smoke or steam from the shower.
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.
Ionization sensing technology is generally more sensitive than photoelectric sensing technology at detecting small particles, which tend to be produced in greater amounts by flaming fires. These types of fires consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly.
In the United States, the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990 states that it is a legal requirement for hotels and motels to have 'hard-wired, single-station smoke detectors in each guestroom in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 72'.
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.
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.
Like coupons and canned goods, smoke alarms have an expiration date. "They have a life of 10 years," Roux says. "But, if it has a built-in CO detector, you'll need to replace it sooner." According to Consumer Reports, most CO detectors come with a five- to seven-year warranty.
Hardwired for Reliable Safety
We do suggest having backup batteries in the case of a power outage, but a hardwired smoke or CO alarm will otherwise always be functional and will keep you and your family safe.
The Kidde Smoke Detector is powered by a 10-year lithium battery that requires no wiring, never needs replacing, plus coverage during a power failure. A solid green LED indicates that the alarm is receiving power and a red LED indicates that the smoke detector is sensing smoke or fire.
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. A home must maintain at least the same level of protection as originally required.
The manufacturer of Firex® branded products was acquired by Kidde in 2009. Invensys Controls no longer manufactures or supports these products. This website may contain some historical support documents, such as product user guides that may reference the Invensys Controls name or mailing address for product support.
All alarms have a shelf life and may chirp when they've reached their end-of-life. If your alarm is older than 10+ years, it's time for a replacement. Chirping in newer alarms is most commonly caused by a low battery.
If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep. Additional detectors on every level and in every bedroom of a home provide extra protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.