Do hardwired smoke detectors have an expiration date?

Not sure exactly how smoke detectors do what they do, but I have some in my rental that are an older type that has a 9 volt battery back-up. They still test fine when hitting the test button and they all sound the alarm. I just wasn't sure if they should be replaced due to age even though they test fine.

10 year replacement.

Yes I put a date on them with a sharpie where you can see it.

Yes, there are several key days. The date of Manufacture, the date of installation AND the date of expiration.

I started putting the 10 year models in because the tenants just take the batteries out when dead and never replace them.

Just checked two in an empty that I put in a couple years ago. They still tested fine.

I also changed my lease because of the law we have regarding smoke detectors. The tenant must sign off that they tested the detectors or watched me test them before move in. They also have to replace with like kind detectors.

Sorry, you asked about hardwired units and I was talking about battery only units.

6man,

A common technology in the SD is 2 sensors with a gap between them. Smoke is microscopic particles.

When enough particles float between the sensors it alarms. That's why it can stop alarming when the kitchen smoke clears or you fan it with a magazine.

Those sensors can accumulate "dust" and sound, OR become "insentive".

The push button test only tests the BATTERY or POWER, not the SD's ability to protect you.

SDs are cheap so "when in doubt, swap it out".

We had a person die in a rental fire.

New construction code requires they be tied together so if the basement SD alarms, they ALL alarm.

Section 8 now requires the 10 year sealed battery.

Like zero stated, Indiana law requires the res to sign a SD Acknowledgement that they are now responsible for the SD.

We've had 6 fires over the years. The FIRST THING the Fire Marshall checks is the SDs.

So if you swap in new SDs, document that in your file.

We also write the new date on the side for easy inspection but that could melt off in a fire.

SDs save lives so don't be cheap!

6man,

A common technology in the SD is 2 sensors with a gap between them. Smoke is microscopic particles.

When enough particles float between the sensors it alarms. That's why it can stop alarming when the kitchen smoke clears or you fan it with a magazine.

Those sensors can accumulate "dust" and sound, OR become "insentive".

The push button test only tests the BATTERY or POWER, not the SD's ability to protect you.

SDs are cheap so "when in doubt, swap it out".

We had a person die in a rental fire.

New construction code requires they be tied together so if the basement SD alarms, they ALL alarm.

Section 8 now requires the 10 year sealed battery.

Like zero stated, Indiana law requires the res to sign a SD Acknowledgement that they are now responsible for the SD.

We've had 6 fires over the years. The FIRST THING the Fire Marshall checks is the SDs.

So if you swap in new SDs, document that in your file.

We also write the new date on the side for easy inspection but that could melt off in a fire.

SDs save lives so don't be cheap!

PS

We also place an SD in the ATTIC because that is where many fires start.

We had a house fire blazing in the attic while the res was laying on the couch watching a ball game, unaware of the inferno above him. No smoke in the living area so no alarm.

The SDs were wired together but the fire burned the wire and tripped the breaker - no chance for an alarm.

This was a non-English speaking family but somehow knew to call 911 once they realized what was happening.

Could have ended badly.

Recently had a tenant call in a panic that her smoke detector in her kitchen was going off for no reason.

DH replaced it - old one, though not old at all, just a year, had lots of dust and pet hair. They used their crock pot which threw off steam and set off the detector.

WMH, when I had my inspection for my PR I was told not to put them within a certain distance of the cooking area. Maybe 25 foot?

I know when I had the 10 year units installed in one apartment I stayed as far away as I could from the kitchen area and one still went off. Tenant asked me to take it down. Instead I told the tenant that maybe they should consider a change in their cooking habits.