Smoke and carbon monoxide inhalation can be deadly. Over 300 deaths and 200 hospitalizations occur in Canada each year as the result of carbon monoxide poisoning, and one in every seven unintentional fire-related deaths in residential buildings is due to the absence of a working smoke alarm. Those numbers are scary, but they illustrate an important point: smoke alarms and CO detectors save lives.
Of course, simply having a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home isn’t enough—both devices also need to be able to function properly. That means you have to know how to have them correctly installed, how to maintain them, and when to replace them if they stop working. Keep reading to find out what the experienced electricians at 4-Star Electric recommend.
See Also: Smoke & CO Detector Installation & Service
How Do Smoke & CO Detectors Work?
Both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fairly simple devices. Still, knowing how they work is important, since it can alert you to problems with either device while there’s still time to take the necessary corrective actions.
How Smoke Alarms Work
There are different kinds of smoke detectors on the market. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular ones:
- Ionization smoke detectors create a current between two charged plates that becomes disrupted by smoke, triggering an alarm. These detectors are better for detecting flaming fires than smouldering fires.
- Photoelectric smoke detectors have a light sensor that triggers the alarm when smoke blocks it, and are most effective for detecting smouldering fires that produce heavy smoke before flames are produced.
Either of the types mentioned above can be battery powered or hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Hardwired detectors still have batteries to keep them working if a power outage occurs, making them more reliable—since battery powered detectors will stop working if the batteries die.
How Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work
Carbon monoxide detectors can be separate devices from smoke alarms or integrated into the same device. Here’s a quick breakdown of how they work:
- A microchip is connected to a CO sensor in the device’s detection chamber.
- When the sensor detects high levels of CO in the atmosphere, it sends an electronic signal to the microchip.
- When the microchip receives a signal from the sensor, it triggers an alarm.
Just like smoke alarms, CO detectors can be battery powered or hardwired—and just like with smoke alarms, hardwired options are the most reliable since they contain battery backups.
How to Use & Maintain Your Smoke Alarm or CO Detector
Smoke and CO detectors are most reliable when you take steps to use and maintain them properly. Here’s how:
- Hardwired systems have expiration dates, so make sure to check and record these whenever you have a new device installed.
- Test your device every month by pressing the button until you hear the alarm. You should also “crisis test” smoke detectors by holding a lit candle or stick of incense about a foot below the detector—this will ensure the sensor is working as well as the batteries.
- Change the batteries in your detectors at least twice a year, even if they’re hardwired. This will help ensure they have power even in the event of an outage.
- Carefully clean your detectors once every two years by carefully wiping down its surface with a dry, soft cloth. It’s okay to use a damp cloth to remove heavy dust or dirt, but avoid making contact with the device’s sensor.
When Should You Replace Your Smoke or CO Detector?
Maintaining your smoke or CO detector will help it stay reliable for longer, but neither device will last forever. Replace your smoke detectors at least once every 10 years, and your carbon monoxide detector every 7–10 years if it is a separate device.
What to Do If Your Smoke or CO Detector Isn’t Working
If you notice any problems with either your smoke or carbon monoxide detector, contact our team at 4-Star Electric right away. We’ll be able to find the root of the problem and present you with the most cost-effective solution. This could involve repairing the device or replacing it with a new one.
Do I Need a Professional to Install My Smoke or CO Detectors?
Having your smoke or CO detector professionally installed is vital, especially for hardwired systems. Our experienced electricians will ensure that your devices are properly connected to your home’s electrical system and located in areas where they can function effectively.
We’ll consider your home’s layout, airflow, and other factors to ensure proper placement, and make sure all your detectors are interconnected (which is required by most building codes). For best results, every level of your home should have at least one smoke and CO detector, and they should be located close to sleeping areas so you’ll be alerted to a potential incident as quickly as possible if one occurs while you’re sleeping.
Keep Your Home Safe with Professionally Installed Smoke and CO Detectors
The more you know about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, the more you can do to make sure your detectors are working properly to keep you and your family safe. To learn more about different types of devices or the best way to have them installed in your home, contact 4-Star Electric. Our team of experienced electricians is standing by and ready to help.
