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Smoke alarms Updated: 05 Mar 2010

Battery life and testing

Most alarms come supplied with a battery. When it comes to replacing it there’s often a choice (but check the alarm instructions first, to see if there’s a recommended replacement).

An alkaline replacement battery could last up to three years; a lithium replacement battery could last 10 years – the life of the alarm itself. Longer-life batteries are handy if the alarm is installed somewhere that’s difficult to get at.

Most alarms have a test button. Prod it each month, to make sure your alarms are working. You can test some models, including the dual sensor First Alert SA302CN by aiming your TV remote control at the alarm - useful for hard-to-get-at places.

Alarms chirp to remind you when the battery’s getting low. That usually happens at the most annoying time – in the dead of night when the daily temperature (and therefore the battery voltage) is lowest.

False alarms

False alarms can be a problem in kitchens and other places where steam or smoke can get near the smoke alarm.

So … a few tips:

Install photoelectric alarms: they’re less likely to give out a false alarm when you’re cooking.
Use extractor fans or rangehoods to remove kitchen fumes and bathroom steam.
Be careful where you install alarms on the ceiling. Place them as far away as possible from billowing steam or cooking fumes. See Building code requirements for more about where to install the alarms.