Smoke Detector Installation Guidelines

Be Sure About Your Smoke Detector

• Make sure that you purchased a smoke detector that has been tested in a laboratory. This ensures that you are using a smoke detector that is definitely not defective in its operation and performs its function efficiently.

  If you want a battery-powered smoke detector, you will have to continually check the battery and change it when it is dead. If you want to get a smoke detector that plugs into a wall, you will have to make sure that it is firmly plugged into a socket and that it will not accidentally fall from place. If you want a smoke detector wired into your home's electrical wiring, you will need to hire an electrician that is qualified to install these types of smoke detectors.

Where to Install Smoke Detectors

• You should not install smoke detectors inside the kitchen. Sometimes fumes from inside the kitchen can provide false alarms. You should consider installing smoke detectors in hallways on each level of the house and inside bedrooms. For best results, mount your smoke detectors at least 12 inches away from corners, on the walls or on the ceiling near doorways. Because of the properties of smoke, you should always install smoke detectors in high places.

Installation

• Before drilling any holes in the walls, calculate the distance between each hole on the smoke detector, and make markings for each hole on the wall or ceiling where you will install the detector. Be sure that the smoke detector is running and firmly placed on its location. For more details about installation, refer to the manual that came with your smoke detector.

Maintenance

• Test your smoke detectors once every month. Do not test your smoke detectors by lighting a small fire under them. This might eventually wear out the detector, and, in the case of a real fire, your smoke detector will fail to alert you. Today's smoke detectors usually come with a test button. If the smoke detector rings loudly, your smoke detector is still operating as it should. You should clean your smoke detectors once per year to ensure that they will alert you efficiently. Remember to replace the batteries once per year as well.