Fire Safety, Maintenance
Your smoke alarm needs replacing every 10 years! Have you checked the date?
Did you know your smoke alarm needs replacing every 10 years?
Fire Safety, Maintenance
As is the case with the majority of our home electrical devices, smoke alarms cannot last forever. Smoke alarm sensors will degrade over time, leading to a reduced sensitivity in detecting heat or smoke. As a result, fire alarms need to be replaced.
Yet a worrying number of people are not aware of the fact that their fire alarms may need replacing.
Checking and being aware of your fire alarm(s) expiry date is imperative to safety. Whilst the alarms will still function when the replace-by date is reached, it is unlikely they will be sensitive enough to detect smoke within a suitable timeframe (as outlined in the British Standards). The alarm may even begin to behave erratically.
How do I check if my FireAngel smoke alarm needs replacing?
For a smoke alarm to certified to British Standard EN 14604:2005, they must have a “replace by” date on them. This applies to all smoke alarms, from those that have “sealed for life” batteries, removable batteries or are powered by mains-supply. On FireAngel alarms, you can check the alarm expiry date on a small panel on the back.
To check this, you need to remove the alarm from its base by twisting it in an anti-clockwise motion and check the replace by date printed on the bottom.
If your alarm has exceeded this date it should be replaced as soon as possible.
Don’t leave it too late, check the date!
As seen in Fire Statistics England there was no fire alarm present in 36% of all fire fatalities in homes between 2016/17, and you are twice as likely to die in a fire if you haven’t got a fire alarm. However, having an alarm, but not checking it that it is working, is just as dangerous.
A smoke alarm is the easiest way to alert you to danger, giving you precious time to escape. They are easy to get hold of and easy to fit.
What’s the best fire alarm for me?
As the trusted technology fitted by UK Fire & Rescue Services since 2007, FireAngel provides a range of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms, which can be battery powered or mains-supplied.
The new FireAngel Pro Connected range also enables alarms to interlink throughout your home, as each alarm is connected via Wireless Interlink (a wireless radio-frequency connection) . Within this meshed network, if one alarm detects a problem – whether it be fire or CO – this triggers all the alarms to sound. This warns all occupants simultaneously throughout the home, regardless of where they are.
You can find out more about interlinking fire alarms – what products can be used in the network, and how this provides an extra level of safety in the home – on our Connected Home webpage.
How do I look after my smoke alarm?
Once installed, it important you continue to test and maintain your fire alarms at regular intervals. The testing process for FireAngel alarms is as follows:
Ensure the alarm is properly attached to the base plate
It is also recommended to delicately clean your fire alarms once every 3 months. As these are sensitive electrical units, the best way to do this is to fit a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush, and to move this around the edge of the alarm. No soapy water or sponges!
If you wish to find more quick user guides on how to test, replace batteries “sleep easy” and “smart silence” functionalities, please see our Kitchen Safety Guidelines For Tenants – A Handout For Landlords
For more information on toxic carbon monoxide, and how best to prevent it at home, please see our free CO eBook here:
