New York Smoke Detector (Smoke Alarm) Installation

A smoke detector, also known as a smoke alarm, play a major role in protecting members of the household during an emergency. Smoke detectors are exactly what their names entail, they detect smoke. These devices are integrated with “photoelectric” sensors that detect light, not actual smoke.

Smoke detectors work by detecting light interruption. The onboard LED generates a light that stretches straight across the interior chamber. When the photoelectric sensor detects an interruption in the light caused by the smoke entering the housing, an alarm is triggered.

Why Do Smoke Detectors Sense?

House fires are often associated with a problem within the electrical system. Of course, this is not always the case since fires can be the result of improper handling of cigarettes, matches, cigars, and lighters.

House fires have also been associated with malfunctioning cooking equipment, damaged portable heaters, mishaps where grease comes into contact with hot burners, and electrical faults within the home’s electrical system.

Smoke detectors have a broad range of benefits, including:

• The alarm wakes the family up when smoke is detected
• Results in faster response
• Decreases overall fire damage
• Reduces the risk of death and severe injuries

There is no doubt, a home without smoke alarms is not as safe as a home with smoke alarms.

Hard-Wired Or Battery-Powered Smoke Detectors

The most popular type of smoke detector runs on battery power. The installation does not require snipping, twisting, or connecting electrical wires. Remove the rear plate and attach it to a flat surface like a wall or ceiling utilizing the included installation hardware.

Electricity-powered smoke alarms, on the other hand, require a more in-depth installation process. Why is the electricity-powered smoke alarm more reliable than the battery-powered smoke alarm? Since the smoke alarm is attached directly to an electrical circuit, it is believed to be more reliable than the battery-powered model.

You never need to worry about battery replacement, which is a major issue when the user-interface does not have a battery indicator light. You are left guessing the battery power level. To minimize this risk, many manufacturers are opting for batteries that offer a longer runtime. Even these batteries can result in a full malfunction if it is not detected early on.

Smoke Detector Battery Replacement Routine

As mentioned previously, smoke detector batteries are designed to offer a specific runtime, some more than others. Without a battery power indicator light, homeowners are left guessing the battery power level. To avoid malfunctions associated with dead or weak batteries, it is recommended to do the following:

• Replace smoke detector batteries twice a year, every six months preferably
• Run monthly safety tests (testing the battery power)
• Replace smoke detectors every five years
• Replace the battery with a 10-year lithium-ion battery

Hard-Wired Smoke Detector Installation

The experts at H&A NYC Electrician recommend hard-wired smoke detectors. These smoke detectors are hard-wired into the home’s electrical system, making them more reliable than battery-powered models.

Smoke alarms should be installed in specific areas of the home. A single smoke alarm will not provide whole-home smoke protection. Contact our office to request a free hard-wired smoke detector installation quote.