There are many different smoke alarm manufacturers, so it’s important to choose wisely to get the right alarm for your home. When choosing an alarm, however, there are a few tips to help you choose the right one for your family and home. The following are Smoke Alarm Maintenance Tips to help you choose the best alarm for your home.

Smoke alarms must be placed in locations where they will be detected the loudest by your family. For homes with young children and ageing parents, this can mean placing them in bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, basements, and any other room or space that can be a potential fire hazard. To ensure your family is fully protected, be sure to place working smoke alarms in rooms where there are infants or toddlers, as well as in fire prone areas. Be sure to also place a working smoke detector near your stove if you frequently cook meals and add wood-burning fireplaces to your home.

Smoke Alarm Maintenance Tips

If your smoke detector does not work with a five-inch gap between connected alarms, or if you have only one alarm, you will want to replace both the detector and the strobe lights with more modern, long-lasting smoke alarms. Many newer models have an entire circuit board that houses all the circuits of the alarm system, which means replacing just one component costs less than replacing the entire board. Newer models have integrated strobe light technology, which provides brighter light and longer lasting bulbs. This type of bulb is also easier to install than incandescent strobe lights and more energy efficient than LED bulbs.

Battery Replacement

It is important to know how often your batteries are replaced so that you can ensure that you’re purchasing the right kind. The average battery should last between three and five years, but you want to make sure that you buy the right kind of battery. For example, Lithium-ion batteries, which are made from lithium metal, are great for keeping your system working, but they eventually will fail because of the heat generated by the system.

Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal Hydride batteries, which are made from cadmium, are the best choice for lasting a long time and for being environmentally friendly. When the nickel cadmium batteries fail, it is usually possible to simply replace batteries rather than having to repair the entire alarm system. If your system has motion sensors and it is frequently used outdoors, it may be a good idea to purchase a battery that is especially durable and has a long expected life span.

Warranty

A warranty will give you peace of mind when it comes to purchasing products such as smoke alarms. Most manufacturers offer a one year warranty on the parts and a two year warranty on the labour. This means that if anything happens within a year of buying the alarm, the manufacturer will be able to help you fix it. In addition, the two year warranty is for any manufacturing defects, not just parts. Of course, there are always exceptions, but warranties can keep you from spending money in the event that the product does not work as advertised.

Integrated Alarms

If your system uses one integrated sensor and it senses both fire and smoke, you have a problem. However, there are new smoke alarms with two integrated sensors that can detect both conditions. These two types of smoke alarm have a tendency to be more expensive, but they offer a better chance of working properly. The smoke alarm with integrated sensors is often located in the ceiling or another part of the home that will most likely be discovered rather quickly. However, there are also new alarms with less complicated detection systems that are less noticeable but can still detect fires.

When it comes down to it, the only way to ensure that you purchase and installation instructions are written by a certified qualified electrician is to research each manufacturer and read through all of their documentation carefully. There is nothing more important than ensuring that you and your loved ones remain safe from fire and smoke damage. Manufacturers should include installation instructions with all smoke alarm products, so it is important that you ask the company you are interested in purchasing from what kind of installation instructions they offer. If a manufacturer does not offer installation instructions, you may need to contact a qualified electrician in your area to ensure that the product is installed properly. For more information on how we can assist you with installation, troubleshooting and repairs, contact us or call 0480 030 290