How to Replace a Smoke Alarm Battery.
How to change a smoke detector battery in any type of home smoke alarm.
In this video we discuss all of the different types of smoke detectors found in homes across Australia. Our Perth electricians usually find that each smoke detector installed is slightly different depending on the brand of detector. Our electrician Greg Allan discusses the difference between each detector and what you will need to do to change the battery in the some alarm.
5 THINGS TO CHECK ON YOUR SMOKE ALARM ANNUALLY
1. REPLACE THE BATTERY
Once a year, replace the 9V battery in your hard-wired smoke detector. The reason you need to do this is because the battery discharges over time when it is not being utilised. When you have an electric smoke detector, the battery is only used when the power turns off and is only there as a back up. Change the battery in your smoke alarm once a year to ensure that the smoke detector will remain energised in the case of an emergency.
2. REPLACE EVERY 10 YEARS.
When you are changing the battery, check the back of the head to see when your smoke detector expires. Hard-wired smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years because the sensor and electrical components become less sensitive over time and may not operate when you need them to. It is also required by law to replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
3. TEST THE SMOKE ALARM
Ensure that the smoke alarm operates by pushing and holding the test button after you have replaced the battery in your smoke alarm. You will need to hold the button for a couple of seconds before the sounder will activate. Once it activates, release the test button on the smoke alarm and you have finished your test.
4. CLEAN IT WITH A VACUUM CLEANER
Get a vacuum cleaner and put the vacuum nozzle up against the holes in the smoke alarm. This will suck any dust out of the sensor compartment and clean your detector. By doing this, you will minimise the likelihood of false alarms and lengthen the life of your detector.
5. KEEP AN EYE ON THE GREEN LIGHT
Finally when you have finished the above checks, just check that the green light on your hard wired smoke detector is continuously on. This ensures that your detector is back in its normal operating conditions.