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Posted by Smarty on April 27, 2008, 8:11 pm
One other consideration.....
Since there are two basic types of smoke alarms, one which sees smoke with
an optical sensor and the other which relies on ionization using a small
radioactive sensor with Americium, the radioactive type essentially "wears
out" after a number of years due to the half-life of the isotope. This type
of smoke alarm should be replaced becuase it will no longer detect a fire,
even if the unit appears to be working properly and emits no warning beeps
whatsoever. Most manufacturers rate them for something like 7 to 10 years as
far as I can recall.
Smarty
>
>>I have a couple of line powered (mains/AC powered) smoke
>> alarms. Today one of them started beeping seemingly
>> randomly. Not sure if that means something, or if I
>> should change it out. It is between 9 and 16 years old.
>> I thought initially it was the battery, but when I took
>> it down, i found it was powered from the mains.
>>
>> Thanks
>
> If it's that old, just replace it. Some units are powered by both 120
> volts, and a 9 volt battery. When the battery is weak, it gives a signal,
> like a beep every 45 seconds
>
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