Special offer

FYI - Smoke Detectors

By
Home Inspector with Complete Home Inspections, Inc. TN Lic#050


    Smoke detectors. Something we all take for granted as these silent sentinels are on the job 24/7/365. The only time most of us think about them is either when they begin to chirp indicating it is time to change the battery or when we take heed and replace the battery at the beginning of daylight savings time. Because daylight savings time is just around the corner, did you know . . .
    - That the average life expectancy of smoke detectors is 10 Years.
    - That during its lifetime it's been on the job for over 87,000 hours. At this point in its life, it stands a 50/50 chance of failure.
    - Smoke detectors need to be placed on every floor of the property especially in the sleeping areas. Some municipalities now require them in attics and basements especially if gas-fired equipment is present.
    - Smoke detectors should be interconnected.
    - Smoke detectors should be present in garages especially if there is a living space above.
    - Smoke detectors need to be tested monthly.
    - Smoke detectors need periodic maintenance. Periodically vacuum the outside covers periodically to remove dust, dirt particles and insects.
    - If you don’t know how old your alarm is, or if you suspect it is more than 10 years old, replace it.

And that my friends, is my 2¢’s worth for today.

TeamCHI ~ The Complete Home Inspections Team

Call 615.661.0297 to schedule an inspection

or go online @ chi-tn.com

Posted by

Complete Home Inspections, Brentwood TN 615.661.0297
 

Comments(14)

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

FYI, the smoke detector in the loft is improperly placed. It should be within 3 feet of the apex of the ceiling.

Feb 11, 2016 06:20 PM
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA

I was going to say that too!  Good placement for a CO detector though.

Feb 12, 2016 05:12 AM
Ted Glover
Alderman Classic Realty, LLC - Moultrie, GA
ABR in Moultrie, Georgia 229-854-5422

Good morning Michael, very good information for all families. Safety first. Protect yourself as well as your property.

 

Feb 11, 2016 06:30 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Michael.  These silent sentries are so necessary for our safety.

Feb 11, 2016 07:21 PM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Michael-Good info on something we don't give much thought to.

Feb 11, 2016 07:29 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Michael. Smoke detectors are usually out of sight and out of mind! Thanks for the tip! Enjoy your day!

Feb 11, 2016 08:07 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Michael.  Always open to a reminder, which reminds me I need to go and buy some batteries.  

Feb 11, 2016 08:29 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Good advice, something I'm very bad at, I never check mine.

Feb 11, 2016 09:38 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Michael. I just replaced my smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.

Feb 11, 2016 10:43 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Well mine are going on 18 years and I test them every year Michael of TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc. 

Feb 11, 2016 11:13 PM
Fred Hernden, CMI
Superior Home Inspections - Greater Albuquerque Area - Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque area Master Inspector

People don't realize that dust builds up on those sensors and make them less sensitive, thus the 10 year lifespan. They are just "there"... they are cheap, don't gamble on your familys safety!

Feb 11, 2016 11:41 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is very good advice for home owners and I will schedule a reblog.

Feb 12, 2016 01:23 AM
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Out here the new code is the smoke detectors have to be the 10 year battery kind when you put new ones in.  They need to be in the bedrooms and in the hallways leading to the bedrooms.

 

Personally, I wouldn't put them in a garage or attic.  Smoke detectors don't actually sense smoke, they go off when anything breaks a laser beam inside them.  This causes false alarms from stuff like exhaust or heat vapor from a car's engine in the garage, or heat in general in the attic.

Feb 12, 2016 05:15 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Smoke detectors do save lives.  Mine also let me know when my wife is cooking

Feb 12, 2016 11:45 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Thanks for sharing this information.  I really wasn't aware about the 10 year life span on these alarms.

Feb 29, 2016 09:40 PM