Smoke detectors: First Aid

Smoke detectors play a crucial role in your home for fire prevention, but unfortunately, this is often overlooked. They are installed or already present, and many consider the matter resolved. By early February, the number of fatal house fires in Belgium had already risen to 15 deaths, significantly more than the previous year during the same period. It is essential that we become more aware of the serious consequences of not maintaining a smoke detector. In this article, we share important tips and essential knowledge about maintaining, checking, and placing smoke detectors, so that we can optimize the safety of ourselves and our fellow residents.

Since January 1, 2020, in Flanders (Belgium), there has been a legal obligation to install at least one smoke detector on every floor. The importance of a quick warning in case of fire due to smoke spread cannot be emphasized enough, as it can save lives. That’s why we would like to bring additional attention to this topic.

What varieties of detectors are available?

Primarily, there is a choice between optical and smart smoke detectors. Additionally, you can select from various models, colors, and sizes. Optical smoke detectors are the most common, operating based on infrared technology. Smoke disrupts the infrared beam, triggering an alarm. In contrast, a smart smoke detector is connected to your smartphone through a dedicated app. With this app, you can interconnect multiple smart smoke detectors. When smoke is detected, an alarm is activated on all detectors and your smartphone. Often, you can immediately identify the room where smoke is detected. This system offers convenience and safety, even when you are away from home.

While there are other types of alarms for heat or gas, they may not be as effective in the case of a fire. It is best to combine them with smoke detectors. For instance, heat detectors sound an alarm when the temperature reaches around 60°C, suitable for areas where a smoke detector might react too quickly, such as in the kitchen or bathroom. Carbon monoxide detectors exclusively signal the presence of carbon monoxide, while gas detectors detect other types of gas but not carbon monoxide. Although all these alarms are valuable additions to each other, individually, they do not provide complete safety assurance

Replaceable battery, fixed 10-year battery, or interconnected smoke detectors?

With smoke detectors featuring a replaceable battery, the battery, depending on the type, needs replacement every 5 or 10 years to ensure proper functioning. There are also smoke detectors with a non-replaceable 10-year battery available, which are mandatory in some regions in Belgium. Generally, a smoke detector has a lifespan of up to 10 years before it needs complete replacement, even those with a replaceable battery. Smoke detectors with a fixed 10-year battery indicate when they need replacement in a timely manner. After this period, not only has the battery expired, but the sensor is also no longer reliable. Therefore, after 10 years, you should replace the entire smoke detector and not just the battery. Smoke detectors with a fixed 10-year battery are preferred because they guarantee safety for a decade, reducing the risk of negligence.

Interconnected smoke detectors are also available. This means that if smoke is detected in, for example, the living room, alarms will also sound in all other spaces. A faster warning increases the chance of evacuating yourself and others to safety. There are two types of interconnected smoke detectors: wirelessly linked and wired. The drawback of the latter is that they are less suitable for DIY enthusiasts since they need to be built into the ceiling or wall. Often, an installer is enlisted for installation, dismantling, and replacement, explaining why these types of smoke detectors are typically used in new construction or renovated homes.

Maintenance & Operation

A self-test function regularly checks the functionality of the detectors. Not all smoke and heat detectors have this self-test function, so be sure to check for it when purchasing. Some smoke detectors are equipped with dust compensation, meaning they can distinguish between smoke and dust, preventing false alarms. Additionally, visible status indicator lights contribute to extra safety regarding power, alarms, and potential malfunctions.

To optimize the performance of a smoke detector, regular maintenance is essential. This involves cleaning and dusting the smoke detector. It is advisable to do this at least monthly using a vacuum cleaner. Unscrew the smoke detector and gently use the soft nozzle or brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner to remove dust. Always avoid moisture inside the unit. For the exterior, you can use a damp cloth, but do not make it too wet, and avoid using cleaning agents.

If your smoke detector frequently triggers false alarms, even after careful maintenance and without exposure to extreme temperatures or smoke, return it within the warranty period for a replacement. Avoid testing it with a candle nearby, as this can render the smoke detector unusable. Instead, use a specialized testing spray to safely check if the detector is still functioning correctly, or check the expiration date.

At the end of its lifespan, do not simply discard the smoke detector. Take it to the recycling center and deposit it in the designated container for recycling smoke detectors.

Now that you are informed, you know what to do. Take those smoke detectors off the walls and/or ceilings, check the expiration date, and preferably dust them monthly with a vacuum cleaner and a lightly damp cloth without cleaning agents.