Do battery operated smoke alarms expire?

Frank99

I have three battery alarms operated by rechargeable 9v batteries, is it true that i should change them even if they work, i thought it was just the sealed lithium ones that needed changing.
One of my alarms is going sounding in the night for no reason so could be a sign, i purchased them in 1997 so maybe i need to switch them although in general they still function very well.

Browntoa

I'm under the impression that the actual main sensor component itself has a lifespan

serpico100

Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years. As mentioned above, it is the smoke sensor that deteriorates over time. Don’t be fooled by the bleeping that you hear when you push the “test” button. That just tells you that the battery, alarm and the electronics are working. It doesn’t test the smoke sensor. As yours are 25 years old they are well overdue for a replacement. As smoke alarms are one of the most important devices in your home it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

MalMonroe

Hi, I agree with serpico100, above. I'd replace, especially as your alarms are so old. And I'm even more convinced that smoke and fire alarms should be kept in good condition and up to date after our next door neighbours had a major fire recently, which destroyed everything, gutted their flat and killed their lovely cat. They won't be able to return, if they ever do, until major works have been carried out. We, among other neighbours were evacuated and we all said later that we never heard any smoke or fire alarms, which we should have done, had they had any that were operational. Devastation, caused by one candle. (Please be careful with candles, everyone!) 

We've all been really saddened and upset by the whole thing and so I would really encourage everyone to have modern, up to date and working fire and smoke alarms. Test them every week. If yours is going off in the night, it's a definite sign that it's not working properly.

That's my advice, for what it's worth. Fire and smoke alarms are absolutely worth every penny - and they aren't that expensive in the first place. 

twopenny

You've had your moneys worth out of them.

Just replace.

I too know of a lady who lost her whole bungalow because a fridge caught fire in the night. It took a whole year to rebuild.

I'm one of those rare smokers so mine get tested regularly when it's too cold to go outside

fenwick458

I'd reccomend a linked kit like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FireAngel-Connected-Mains-Powered-Wireless/dp/B08BVJRPSQ/ref=pd_lpo_3?pd_rd_w=qyV7D&content-id=amzn1.sym.2d229339-2f42-4596-a90d-b81a4f52d6d3&pf_rd_p=2d229339-2f42-4596-a90d-b81a4f52d6d3&pf_rd_r=TBX6P60N4FY09YV4N4FF&pd_rd_wg=AneE8&pd_rd_r=023638bd-d49a-42d8-aacb-f9efa9818d92&pd_rd_i=B08BVJRPSQ&psc=1

Alderbank

Interlinked alarms, as recommended by fenwick458, are much safer because all alarms go off together regardless of where the smoke originates.

Are you in Scotland? All Scottish homes must now have interlinked smoke alarms.

Norman_Castle

Frank99 said:

 i purchased them in 1997 so maybe i need to switch them although in general they still function very well.

A battery alarm would have been about £8 in 1997 so they've cost you 32p per year. I hate binning working items but unless you know for sure that these are working as intended I would replace them.

Risteard

Frank99 said:

I have three battery alarms operated by rechargeable 9v batteries, is it true that i should change them even if they work, i thought it was just the sealed lithium ones that needed changing.
One of my alarms is going sounding in the night for no reason so could be a sign, i purchased them in 1997 so maybe i need to switch them although in general they still function very well.

How can you possibly state this as fact? They are long past their useful lifespan - in fact at least around two-and-a-half times past it.

markin

The sensors are radioactive, They decay over 10 years.

Also a Co2  carbon monoxide alarm will save your life, even from next doors fire or boiler!

 

Around 200 people 'suffer carbon monoxide poisoning at Christmas party at Turkish restaurant and are HOSPITALISED after feeling nauseous and light-headed' 

By Lauren Haughey For Mailonline - December 22nd 2022, 10:12:48 pm

Around 200 people were hospitalised last night after suffering carbon-monoxide poisoning at a  London Christmas party in Chingford, Waltham Forest, an NHS worker has claimed.

grumbler

markin said:

 Co2  carbon monoxide

CO