When Should Smoke Alarms be Replaced?
While most people are aware that the batteries in a smoke alarm should be replaced once a year, it is not as common to know that the entire smoke alarm needs to be replaced at least every 10 years. A good starting point to determine when the smoke alarm in your business needs to be replaced is to first check the manufacturer’s instructions. These instructions should include information about when that particular smoke alarm needs to be replaced. If the manufacturer’s instructions are not available, you can also check the back or side of the alarm for the date the smoke alarm was manufactured.
When installing a new smoke alarm for your business it is important to ensure that the installation of the alarm does not reduce the level of protection a smoke alarm offers. This means that it is important to replace old smoke alarms with similar smoke alarms that offer the same level or a higher level of protection. It is also important to ensure that all smoke alarms are installed properly to ensure that they can function optimally.
Replacing Interconnected Smoke Alarms
Many businesses use interconnected smoke alarms, as they offer an added level of safety to the workplace. Interconnected smoke alarms work by activating all of the units when one of them detects smoke. When replacing a smoke detector within an interconnected system, the best option may be to replace all of the smoke alarms in the system at the same time, even if some are still in working condition. Before replacing smoke alarms in an interconnected system, it is also a good idea to check local government bylaws to ensure that you are meeting all of the necessary installation requirements.
If you would like to learn more about how often workplace smoke alarms should be replaced, or if you are interested in one of our fire protection products, please contact EFAS by calling 604-294-EFAS or by filling out a contact form on our website.