How to Reinstall Hardwired Fire Detectors

Fire detectors, most commonly called smoke alarms, protect buildings from fire. Smoke alarms are required in the majority of counties and for new construction depending on the local building code. Hardwired smoke alarms are wired directly and operate off electricity and just need a battery for backup. The hardwired alarms are a safer alternative to battery-powered smoke alarms as they provide protection even if you forget to change the batteries.

Things You'll Need

Wire nuts

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the circuit breakers to the kitchen and the bathroom. Hardwired fire detectors are connected to the same circuit as the kitchen and bathroom. If you are unsure, turn off all circuit breakers in the house.
- 2
  Connect the white wire from the fire alarm to the white wire in the electrical box. Secure the wires together with a wire nut. The electrical box is the box in the ceiling that the fire alarm is connected to.
- 3
  Connect the black wire from the fire alarm to the black wire in the electrical box. Secure the wires together with a wire nut.
- 4
  Connect the red wire from the fire alarm to the red wire in the electrical box. Secure the wires together with a wire nut.
- 5
  Push alarm back into the mounting plate. If the alarm has a quick connect harness you just push the harness into the pins on the back of the alarm, and push it onto the plate. If your alarm has no harness just push the alarm back into the mounting plate.
- 6
  Press the test button on the alarm for a few seconds until it starts beeping. If the alarm does not beep, ensure none of the wires got disconnected.

Why Do Fire Alarms Go Off With No Smoke?

Smoke Detector Noise

Smoke Detectors