How Often Should You Replace Smoke Detectors? It’s commonly known that the batteries in your smoke detector should be replaced every year. However, a topic that is not discussed enough and that’s vital to ensure optimal safety, is how often the actual smoke detector should be replaced. The electrical contractors at BPM Electric understand the importance of fire safety. As such, they offer expert installation, maintenance, and evaluation of the electrical services in Vancouver’s residential and commercial properties to ensure your property is hazard-free and up to date.

Do smoke detectors need to be replaced on a regular basis? Yes, as with any type of technology, both function and efficiency decrease with age. While you may be able to live with a slow computer or a glitchy television set, you should not compromise on your safety. So, how often should you be replacing those life-saving fire detectors? Let’s look further into the factors that affect the frequency at which your smoke detectors need replacing.

The Importance of Working Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors save lives. Whether they’re installed in your residential home to protect you and your family, or within your commercial property to prioritize the safety of your staff and customers, precautionary fire safety is crucial.

According to SGI Canada, there are approximately 24,000 house fires in Canada each year, resulting in an average of nearly 400 deaths and over 3,000 injuries annually. In the cases of fatal but preventable house fires, over one-third of the homes did not have working smoke detectors. To prioritize your safety, ensure that you always have working smoke detectors installed throughout your home or commercial building.

Replace the Detector, Not Just the Batteries

Along with changing the batteries each year to ensure your fire detectors are properly powered, the smoke detector itself needs to be replaced. Smoke detectors have an expiration date and many that are currently installed in homes and commercial buildings have surpassed their peak window for optimal functionality. As dust accumulates around and within the detectors, the sensors become desensitized over time.

At the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you should replace your smoke alarm every 10 years. To find out when your detectors were manufactured, check the back or side of the smoke detector to see the date that it was made. If it has been 10 or more years since the date of manufacturing, it’s time to buy and install a new detector. Whether your smoke detectors are wired or wireless, this makes no difference to this 10-year rotation. All alarms must be replaced within 10 years of that manufacturing date, regardless of when it was installed.

To further improve the safety of your property, you can opt for interconnected smoke alarms. Unlike independent alarms, interconnected smoke detectors are installed through a connected system and will signal the alarms in unison. Rather than just one going off, every room of the home or commerical space will be alerted, adding an extra measure of safety. If your smoke alarms need replacing, it’s time to consider an interconnected system to replace all the alarms at once. This way, you can sleep soundly knowing your property is abiding by thorough fire safety practices.

To hire the help of trusted and experienced electrical contractors in Vancouver, turn to the team at BPM Electric. They prioritize safety and functionality above all else to deliver expert electrical services to your home or commercial building.

Ensure Safe Instalment

While it’s important to have up-to-date smoke detectors to alert you in the case of a fire, what’s even more crucial is preventing the fire all together. If your home or commercial property has overloaded electrical circuits, you could be at risk for experiencing an electrical fire. Something as simple as have lightbulbs with greater wattages than the light fixture is rated for could start an electrical fire.

As a full-service electrical contractor, BPM Electric specializes in the installation, upgrade, replacements, repairs, and maintenance of wiring, electric panels, lighting, and much more to your property. BPM Electric’s highly trained and licensed electricians have the skills required to ensure the electricity in your home is hazard-free and safe to use. Through serving Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Area for over 30 years, BPM Electric is well-versed in keeping all properties safe and up to code. To replace your smoke detectors, install interconnected safety systems, and ensure electrical safety, reach out to the experts at BPM Electric today.