Have you ever wondered how topics get chosen for our weekly newsletters? Well, often, topics find their way to the front from a listener’s phone calls, emails, or texts. This week’s topic is from an email question.
Questions From Listeners
Question #1
A caller asked us about the location of their smoke detectors. They have high ceilings and can’t get on a ladder any longer to change out the batteries. She wanted to know if they could be lowered for better access to keep updated.
- Jared Wright of Harmony Security began by informing us that local jurisdictions set smoke detector codes, be that county or municipality. Often, these code requirements will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Even adjacent jurisdictions can have different requirements. So, if you live on a municipal boundary, your requirements may differ from your neighbor’s. Verifying codes within your jurisdiction is always best by calli the building department directly.
With that caveat in mind, Jared tells us that while ceiling-mounted smoke detectors are the best location, they can often be mounted on walls.
- Place detectors 12″ to 18″down from the ceiling. This requirement is because smoke, as it rises and moves, naturally curls at the junction of the wall and ceiling. A smoke detector at the ceiling on a wall may not sense smoke until it’s too late. Lowering the smoke detector to where you can reach it standing on the floor is not likely going to be allowed. It is also not in your best interest from a safety standpoint.
Question #2
Another listener sent a question via email, explaining that they remodeled their house about 14 years ago and had all the smoke detectors hard-wired. The smoke detector near their kitchen constantly goes off. It is not their cooking, the oven is clean, and they stay up on keeping filters clean. The unit is ionic, and they want to know if they can replace the hard-wired smoke detector with a photoelectric one.
Rosie and Jared decided to visit the homeowners to help troubleshoot the situation. Sure enough, Mary Ellen. was ready with the toaster, and as soon as you could smell the toast, the fire alarm began to scream. The other seven smoke detectors in the house joined the chorus.
They have adjusted the way they prepare meals in hopes of keeping the alarms at bay, but the units may be getting worse with time.
They want to keep their home up to the city’s code, so what are their choices?
Jared informed us that the life of any type of smoke detector is 10 years. Since the smoke detectors are now 15 years old, replacing them is a good idea. The options for the couple are:
Replace the units with identical units: They would like to replace them with units like they have. However, they are no longer made. The industry is not standardized, so any detectors they choose will need to have new clips installed to hold the unit in place. This can be costly.
Switch over to battery-operated units: The next choice would be to install battery-operated units. They are within code IF they are chained together with radio frequency. These are not easily found. However, Jared recommends a photoelectric detector by X Sense.
Go with a security system: Jared points out that Harmony Security can install smoke detectors if they also install a security system. This is a good option for homeowners who need a security system. When an alarm goes off, it talks to the keypad in the home, turns off the HVAC unit, and calls the fire department and homeowner.
Mary Ellen decided to replace all smoke detectors with battery-operated units chained together by radio frequency. They will let us know the results once they have been replaced.
One dilemma they may still have is the placement of the detectors. Smoke detectors are not allowed in the kitchen or laundry room. Their detector is technically in the breakfast room but is part of the kitchen. They can’t move the unit as the wall it is on also houses the detector for the laundry room. Smoke detectors are also not allowed in laundry rooms.
The next step would be to involve their city building codes department to devise a solution. It just can’t be the case that they have to live with the sound of eight alarms going off just for making toast!
Evolution of Smoke Detectors
Let’ start with the two basic types of smoke detectors.
- Ionized– A small amount of radioactive material is placed in a chamber to ionize the air, creating a continuous electric current. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the electrical current, causing the alarm to sound.
- Photoelectric– This type utilizes light beams and sensors to detect smoke. When the light beams are interrupted, the alarm is triggered.
There are several generations of smoke detectors. Initially, the ionization detectors were invented by a Swiss physicist, Walter Jaeger, in the 1930’s. They were cumbersome and only used in commercial applications. In the US in 1972 photoelectric detectors were introduced.
- Power Source.
- Before the mid-1980s, batteries powered our smoke detectors. This made individual smoke detectors easy to install. The downside is that changing the batteries regularly does not always happen. When the power source fails, the alarm goes off. It’s not fun at 3 AM. Many cities will allow batter- operated detectors if they are chained together with radio frequency so that when one of them goes off, they all do.
- Most jurisdictions in Arizona now require hard-wired smoke alarms. This means the device is directly connected to your home’s electrical wiring. They are more reliable than battery-operated units as long as the power flows. Hard-wired alarms will have a battery backup as well.
- Smart Smoke Detectors. These work like regular smoke detectors using ionization or photoelectric detection systems. The difference is they connect to WiFi or Bluetooth. This allows detectors to communicate with you remotely, letting you know if there is an issue at home. These work well as long as the internet is working.
The Value of a Monitored Security and Smoke Detectors System
One of the best solutions for fire safety is to have a monitored system.
- A regular smoke detector is of zero value if you are not home. They beep away while your house burns down.
- A monitored smoke detector connected to a security system will notify the fire department should a fire break out. It will alert you as well.
- This system does not rely on the internet but talks to the main keypad using a radio frequency. The keypad then communicates to a monitoring center using a cellular connection. WIFI is never used in this system.
- When there is a fire, the HVAC system senses the house is hot and turns on the AC. The touchpad in the security system will signal the HVAC system to go off to keep the fire from spreading as quickly.
There is no question that smoke detectors save lives. Be familiar with what your system requires for maintenance. Plan on replacing all units every 10 years. Pay attention and perform periodic maintenance.
Your family’s well-being may be at stake.
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PODCAST
February 15th, 2025
Two listener questions about lowering a smoke detector for better access and a detector near the kitchen constantly going off led us to a deep discussion on the subject. Jared Wright of Harmony Security discusses the difference between Ionized and Photoelectric detectors. The value of a monitored security and smoke detector system. The lifespan of detectors. The only way to get a homeowner’s insurance discount and of course, safety in the event of an emergency.
Original Broadcast Archive Page With Expanded Content
PHOTO CREDIT
- Rosie on the House
