If you’re wondering if your smoke detectors need replacing, here are signs it’s time to get new ones.
Homes need smoke detectors installed. They are vital for warning residents of potential fires in the house so that people can either combat the fire, or get somewhere safe. While smoke detectors do a great job at alerting people to house fires, they will start to fail you after enough time has passed. It’s important to know when it’s time to replace your detectors because you never want to be in a scenario in which you have no fire detection system. If you’re wondering if your smoke detectors need replacing, here are signs it’s time to get new ones.
Your Smoke Detectors Have a Yellow Color
No one wants to haul a ladder with them so they can look at the manufacture date of every smoke detector they have in the house. That sounds like a tedious process. Fortunately, there is a different method you can use to determine if a smoke detector is at the end of its lifespan.
When a smoke detector gets old, it will start to change color so it looks more yellow. This yellow color is a result of a flame retardant known as bromine, which all smoke detectors have. Bromine is what allows your detectors to resist fires for long enough to alert you of the danger. When bromine is exposed to heat, UV lights, and oxygen, that’s when your detectors will start to develop that yellow color.
They Chirp Constantly
Have you noticed that your smoke detector is chirping regularly? This is a problem because constant chirping can lull you into a false sense of security. You’ll stop associating chirping with potential fires, and that means you might ignore your smoke detector, even when you have a fire in the house.
Regular chirping also means your smoke detector could be quite old, and as such, you’ll need to replace it very soon. You only want your detector to chirp when there is actually a fire around.
Your Smoke Detector Doesn’t Respond During Testing
It’s advised that you test your smoke detectors monthly at a minimum. Testing your detectors is simple enough. Just push the “test” button, and you’ll find out if your detector is functional or not.
A fully functional smoke detector will beep loudly several times when being tested. If you don’t hear these beeps, or if the beeps are weak, it means your detector isn’t working as it should, and you’ll want to get a new one.
Contact Albaugh & Sons
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