For the most part, yes. I suppose there could have been some odd wiring a brand could have used, but most should have roughed in wiring to boxes, and then the detectors would have been installed during finish work like all other lights and fixtures. When I changed out the one unit, I stayed with the same brand and didn't even have to swap out the pigtail or base (just the head unit). It should be as easy as changing a light fixture.
Changing batteries in hard wired smoke detectors
- Thread starter Paddy
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For the most part, yes. I suppose there could have been some odd wiring a brand could have used, but most should have roughed in wiring to boxes, and then the detectors would have been installed during finish work like all other lights and fixtures. When I changed out the one unit, I stayed with the same brand and didn't even have to swap out the pigtail or base (just the head unit). It should be as easy as changing a light fixture.
JPRambo
Platinum Member
I wired homes for 18 years (1982-2000). We went from one 110 volt SD in each hallway leading to a bedroom. then to one SD within 6 feet of each bedroom door in the hallway to a bedroom. Then to 110 volt SD with back up with in 6 feet of each bedroom. Then to 110 volt battery backup SD outside each bedroom plus one in the highest ceiling. Then to one battery back up 110 volt SD in each bedroom plus one within 6 feet of the bedroom doorway plus one in the highest ceiling.
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
you have to check if they are interchangeable. Mine are firex brand. New ones had a new base, new pigtail I had to replace.
NY_Yankees_Fan
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From
Safety messages about smoke alarms - NFPA
There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home.
Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
Safety messages about smoke alarms - NFPA
There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home.
Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
NY_Yankees_Fan
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From Safety messages about smoke alarms - NFPA There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
As noted above the smoke detector shall be replaced at 10 years of operation. This is a UL requirement. So if that detector is 18 years old time for a new one. When buying a new detection get one that has both ionization AND photoelectric built into the same detector.
Here is what I have available from Home Depot FireX Hardwired 120-Volt Inter-Connectable Dual Sensor Photoelectric and Ionization Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup-21007915 - The Home Depot I replace the battery when they start to chirp since they run on 120 volt.
If your detector does not have 120 volt then here is a battery only version
Kidde Battery Operated Dual-Sensor Photoelectric/Ionization Smoke Alarm-21007385 - The Home Depot
As noted above the smoke detector shall be replaced at 10 years of operation. This is a UL requirement. So if that detector is 18 years old time for a new one. When buying a new detection get one that has both ionization AND photoelectric built into the same detector.
Here is what I have available from Home Depot FireX Hardwired 120-Volt Inter-Connectable Dual Sensor Photoelectric and Ionization Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup-21007915 - The Home Depot I replace the battery when they start to chirp since they run on 120 volt.
If your detector does not have 120 volt then here is a battery only version
Kidde Battery Operated Dual-Sensor Photoelectric/Ionization Smoke Alarm-21007385 - The Home Depot
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The battery backup GOT me Friday night! Power went out about 8pm due to frozen precip causing falling branches/trees. About 1:30am, the chirping started. It sure seemed to be the smoke detector way up in the peak of the vaulted great room ceiling that takes the 10ft ladder to get to. Hauled it up two sets of stairs from the basement, in my underwear, set it up and --- NO! It was something else! Searched all over the house! Was none of the other 4 smoke detectors. Was not the battery backup in the weather radio, was not the batteries in the wireless baseboard heater thermostat. Finally gave up and woke the wife (better hearing). She couldn't pinpoint it either!
Something finally made me think of the little carbon monoxide alarm plugged into one of the baseboard-mounted outlets.
Why do the manufacturers insist on a frequency/tone for these things that is just right to bounce all over inside a house as to make it impossible to pinpoint the location??
Since the ladder was already up, I went ahead and checked the high-up smoke detector - battery was marked for shelf life good through 3/2016. Now replaced.
- Jay
Something finally made me think of the little carbon monoxide alarm plugged into one of the baseboard-mounted outlets.
Why do the manufacturers insist on a frequency/tone for these things that is just right to bounce all over inside a house as to make it impossible to pinpoint the location??
Since the ladder was already up, I went ahead and checked the high-up smoke detector - battery was marked for shelf life good through 3/2016. Now replaced.
- Jay
