Smoke detector comparison are something our clients ask us about. With all of the options out there sometimes the decision of which one you need isn’t as simple as you thought it would be. Hopefully this article will help shed some light on the different options out there.
Do smoke detectors go bad?
The simple answer is YES! As a home inspector I am always shocked at just how old some of these smoke detectors are in houses. I’ve seen houses built in the early 80’s with the same one or two units that came with the house. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years by manufactures recommendations. There are 2 ways you can date a smoke detector. One is by the color of the housing. The plastic that manufactures use will start to turn yellow as they age. This is by design. Usually if its yellow its most likely older than 10 years. The second and most accurate way is to look at the date on the back of the unit.
How many do I need?
It is recommended to have a smoke detector in or just outside each bedroom. If you have an older home you probably only have one in the hallway and maybe one in the living room. New safety standards call for many more than this. Having one in the kitchen is not recommended as you may get false alarms when you are cooking. Other rooms that do not need them are florida rooms, bathrooms, garages and unfinished attics.
Where should they be placed?
Its always best to follow the manufactures guidelines for the particular unit you use. Ceiling mounting is best but if you must mount them on the wall its recommended that they not be more than 12″ away from the ceiling.
What about Ionization vs Photoelectric?
There are 2 types of smoke detectors and each one detects certain types of fires better than the other. Ionization smoke detectors tend to respond faster to flash fires better than photoelectric. Photoelectric smoke detectors will respond much faster to smoke produced by smoldering fires than Ionization types. Lucky for us most manufactures now produce dual type although they come with a higher cost.
Don’t forget!
Smoke detectors are one of the most overlooked safety items in a home so do not forget to maintain them properly. This includes changing them out every 10 years and replacing batteries every year. If you would like to have your home inspected you can contact us here. We hope this smoke detector comparison helped you with your purchase!