Do You Need an Electrician to Install Your Smoke Detector?
Smoke detectors are an invaluable piece of home protection equipment that can save your life. In fact, it’s widely accepted that smoke detectors reduce your risk of dying in a home fire by 50 percent because they alert you quickly of smoke presence and fire dangers. The experts at Milestone compiled everything you need to know about smoke detector installation and how electricians can help. Keep reading to learn more about home smoke detector systems.
Do Electricians Install Smoke Detectors?
You may be asking yourself, “do you need an electrician to install your smoke detector?” While it’s not mandatory for an electrician to install a basic smoke detector, they can help you choose the correct placement for your unit, which is vital to its success. They can also install more advanced systems that communicate with each other or integrate into your electrical system.
Special Considerations For Smoke Detector Placement
Your smoke detector units should be placed out of reach of children or pets, so they aren’t tampered with or broken. In addition, they should be placed above each bedroom entrance and near your kitchen. However, they shouldn’t be positioned too close to major heating appliances like your stove, which can produce inaccurate readings. Smoke detectors should be present on every level of your home, including your basement to best protect against home fires.
Types of Smoke Detectors
There are three types of smoke detectors you can install in your home. These include battery-operated smoke detectors, interconnected smoke detectors, and integrated smoke detectors that connect to your main electrical system. Your local electrician can help you determine which smoke detector products are best for your home.
Battery-Operated Smoke Detectors
Battery-operated units are the most common style of smoke detectors. These units typically last 10 years. However, their batteries need to be replaced at least every six months to ensure they are still effective in protecting your home.
Interconnected Smoke Detectors
Interconnected smoke detectors allow battery-operated units to communicate with each other. If one goes off, the other alarms will be notified wirelessly and also go off. This provides added protection no matter where you are in your home when a smoke detector sounds. For this reason, interconnected smoke detectors are especially useful in spacious homes.
Integrated Smoke Detectors
Integrated smoke detectors are connected to your main electrical system. This ensures that there is no issue of forgetting to change batteries to keep your safety system running. Most new homes require integrated smoke detector systems. As a backup, if your power happens to go out during an emergency, integrated smoke detectors have secondary battery solutions.
Do You Really Need to Replace Smoke Detectors Every 10 Years?
You should replace smoke detector units every 10 years to ensure your safety system is running properly. Typically, it’s better to replace battery-operated units if they experience issues that don’t respond to being reset. However, integrated systems can benefit from smoke detector repair, saving you from an early system replacement over a minor repair.
Will the Fire Department Check Smoke Detectors?
Some fire departments will install a battery-operated smoke detector at no cost to homeowners. Smoke alarm installation is required in newer homes. The fire department can inspect your home’s safety measures and tell you if they are up to code or if you need to make adjustments.
When do you need a permit for smoke detector installation? If you are altering major components of your home safety systems, you will need a permit to make changes. You are also not permitted to replace hardwired smoke detectors with battery-operated units if a hardwired unit is required for your home. This is typically the case for newer homes.
Who Installs Smoke Detectors Near Me in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Milestone is a trusted full-service company in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. Serving our community since 2004, our family-owned and operated business is ready to take on your home safety projects safely and efficiently! Our home services handle a range of useful amenities including heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, indoor air quality, and garage doors.
Are you looking for an Electrician to install your smoke detector safely in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX? Making the choice to install a fire alarm system protects your family and can save their lives. When your home requires smoke detector installation, you know who to call. Milestone is here to help and we care about you, your family, and your home.
