Who do I call to replace my smoke detector?

Author: Dr. Roosevelt O'Hara II  |  Last update: Sunday, February 16, 2025

Just give the fire department a call on their non-emergency line or call the fire prevention department.

Will the local Fire Department replace smoke detectors?

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.

Who can I call to change my smoke detector?

If you feel unsafe getting on a ladder to replace your hardwired smoke detector, call a licensed electrician or local handyman to knock this project off your to-do list.

How much does a handyman charge to replace a smoke detector?

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.

Do I need an electrician to replace a smoke detector?

If you find it's about time to replace your smoke alarm, you are probably asking yourself “Do I need an electrician to replace hardwired smoke detectors?” The answer is yes, as handling electrical circuits can be risky without proper knowledge.

"Pro-Tip...", Swapping Out Wired Smoke Alarms

Can a handyman replace smoke detectors?

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.

Who changes out smoke detectors?

Usually, someone in the fire prevention division be happy to help you out, though occasionally the duty crew in your area might be tasked with the assignment. In the meantime, you can help yourself a bit by noting the brand and model of detector you have and the number and frequency of the beeps.

Can I replace smoke detector myself?

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.

What is the average lifespan of a smoke detector?

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.

How often should residential smoke detectors be replaced?

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.

How do you know if a hard wired smoke detector is bad?

If your smoke detectors are yellowing, chirping non-stop, or going off unexpectedly, it's time to call in our electrical pros from Integrity Home Solutions. We can inspect and replace hardwired smoke detectors or install them if you don't have them in place already. Don't take a chance on your family's safety.

How do I replace my old smoke detector with a new one?

Steps
  1. Shut off the electricity using the circuit breaker. ...
  2. Remove the old detector from the mounting. ...
  3. Unhook the wire harness from the detector. ...
  4. Remove the mounting plate. ...
  5. Remove the wiring harness. ...
  6. Attach the new wiring harness to the wires in the ceiling. ...
  7. Attach the new mounting plate.

Do smoke detectors automatically call the fire department?

No, not all fire alarm systems automatically notify the fire department. While some apartment buildings may have alarms connected to a monitoring service that triggers an emergency response, many do not due to the added cost of this service.

How to fix a faulty smoke detector?

These are our suggestions:
  1. Check your batteries.
  2. Make sure your detector is clean and free of dust.
  3. If you have experienced a power outage, reset your alarm.
  4. If your unit is 10 years old or more, replace it.

Is a beeping smoke detector an emergency?

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.

How many years does a hardwired smoke detector last?

Every 10 years

Replace your smoke alarm. Some models last as little as 5 years. This includes battery operated and hard-wired alarms. All smoke alarms have an expiration date.

How much to charge to install a smoke detector?

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.

Do hardwired smoke alarms need to be replaced?

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.

Who to call to replace smoke detectors?

Call Our Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Detector Experts

Homeowners with questions or concerns regarding smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector placement, installations, or repair should contact our electricians.

How to stop smoke detector from chirping without battery?

Take the individual chirping unit down: After shutting off the circuit breaker, take the individual unit down, remove the battery backup (if it has one), then hold the test button down for 15 seconds. This should reset your alarm and stop the chirping.

Will one bad smoke detector set off another?

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.

Do I need an electrician to replace a smoke alarm?

Mains-powered smoke alarms are directly connected to the building's electrical system and usually have a backup battery in case of power outages. These types of smoke detectors require professional installation by an electrician since they need to be wired into the electrical circuit.

Can you call the fire department to change smoke alarm batteries?

Our firefighters will replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for those unable to safely access their units.

Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night?

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. Test the alarm and clean it thoroughly to try and resolve the issue. Make sure batteries are fresh and secure.

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