How to Change a Fire Alarm Battery

Domestic smoke alarms needed relatively minimal maintenance after they are installed. Always follow the manufacturer’s or installer’s directions as it’s well worth spending a few minutes a few times per year to double-check that your smoke alarm(s) are operating properly. When the clocks change forward or back, test your smoke alarms to ensure they are checked twice a year. You should also vacuum the alarm lightly with a soft brush attachment at this stage to eliminate any dust that has accumulated within the sensors. Unless you have a 10-year alarm, change the battery once a year, possibly when the clocks go forward in spring or back in autumn. If you have the latter, you should replace the complete device every ten years. This might create the question “how to change a fire alarm battery”, keep reading for more information.

Rental Properties with Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms must be installed on each floor of rental premises and must function properly after installation or at the start of a new lease. Following that, the renter is responsible for testing and maintenance.

Testing and Maintaining Commercial Smoke Alarms

All commercial premises should have an appropriate fire detection system installed, to detect any outbreak of fire and warn occupants of the building. If no doubt, a Fire Risk Assessment can determine whether you need to install fire detection systems and what type(s). A Fire Risk Assessment is the cornerstone of any commercial fire safety plan, and commercial properties have a lawful obligation to conduct one. If you think you might need new alarm systems, click here to contact our team.

BS 5839 and the government recommend the routine inspection of fire alarm systems at least every six months. If you have large commercial premises, a quarterly service may be more appropriate. The British Safety standard lays out a code of good practice for fire detection and fire alarm installation, and it also covers the design of the system.

Smoke Alarms come in a Variety of Styles

Smoke alarms are divided into two categories:

– Photoelectric smoke alarms: these employ a photoelectric sensor to detect smoke.

– Ionisation smoke alarms: those that detect smoke via ionisation.

Ionisation detectors are more popular since they are mass manufactured and often inexpensive. However, photoelectric detectors are also quite inexpensive.

Photoelectric alarms are frequently more sensitive to smouldering flames than ionisation detectors are to raging fires. The ideal option is to use a mix of the two types of alarms or to find a single smoke detector that can detect both forms of smoke. It is important to also note that in some places, for example, Scotland, an interlinked fire alarm system is extremely popular and is now required under the law to have. To find out more about these fire alarm systems click here.

You Should Test your Smoke Alarm Regularly

To ensure that smoke alarms are working correctly, they should be inspected at least once a month. A test button is found on most alarms. Simply press and hold the button for a few seconds to hear the unit’s alert. It’s time to change your batteries if you don’t hear it or if the sound is faint. Remember to check these life-saving gadgets regularly to keep your family safe.

Batteries Should be Replaced at Least Once a Year

You’ll likely hear that unpleasant high-pitched periodic chirp until you change the batteries in your detector. While the sound is irritating, it is a good reminder when the battery is low and it is time to replace it.

An Excellent Battery Replacement Rule of Thumb

Throw it out if you’re not sure. It is always preferable to be safe than sorry. Even if you’re not sure if the last one is dead, it’s never a bad idea to give your fire alarm a new battery. Consider marking the date on the new battery with a permanent marker so that when it dies, you can see how long it lasted and know roughly how long each cell will function in your specific alarm.