Smoke detectors shelf life?

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Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,902
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My SD started beeping a week ago, replaced its battery. It's been in use for a few years. I was gifted a box of smoke detectors (6-8) some 14 years ago, new in box including batteries (batteries weren't installed). So, to replace the battery in my working smoke detector I've been taking them out of the boxes of the new/unused SD's.

Did a bit of internet research the other day and saw that the life expectancy of a SD is 10 years. Don't know how old the one I'm using is, but is probably more than 10 years.

So, my question is will the "new" unused but 14 year old smoke detectors work OK or is there a shelf life for them even though not powered up by a battery?

I have a CO detector too, so comments on that?
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
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They have expiry dates on them. Just because you don't use them doesn't mean they stay new.
 
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Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
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Did some Googling:

“It is the sensors that fail after a given amount of time, not so much the electronic circuitry or the radioactive ionization source. The sensor modules rely on an electro-chemical reaction to smoke/CO, they get saturated over time depending on exposure and also just plain start breaking down.”
Click to expand...

modernsurvivalblog.com

Do Smoke Detectors Expire - Yes - Shelf Life

It's a common question, "Do smoke detectors expire?" Yes, over time they lose sensitivity. Shelf life expectation...
modernsurvivalblog.com modernsurvivalblog.com
Well, I AM wondering if "new in box" the sensor module would be thus "saturated." I mean, there's virtually no air circulating in there, right? :cool:
 
Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,902
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VirtualLarry said:
Do your smoke detectors not use standard 9V batteries?
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Totally do. In fact, I should be getting a set of 8 Energizers today from Amazon. The only not beyond expiry date 9v I have is a Lithium I bought for my bedroom thermometer. It's a pain to change the battery in it and the Lithiums last a lot longer than alkaline. I keep most of my spare batteries in the fridge.
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
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Muse said:
Did some Googling:



modernsurvivalblog.com

Do Smoke Detectors Expire - Yes - Shelf Life

It's a common question, "Do smoke detectors expire?" Yes, over time they lose sensitivity. Shelf life expectation...
modernsurvivalblog.com modernsurvivalblog.com
Well, I AM wondering if "new in box" the sensor module would be thus "saturated." I mean, there's virtually no air circulating in there, right? :cool:
Click to expand...
Not something I'd gamble on, personally... some fire departments offer free or reduced price smoke detectors, if finance is a concern.
 
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pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
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I wouldn't risk it using an old "still-in-box-never-used" model. It's your personal safety we're talking about and smoke detectors are relatively inexpensive these days!
 
S

s0me0nesmind1

Lifer
Nov 8, 2012
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pete6032 said:
I wouldn't risk it using an old "still-in-box-never-used" model. It's your personal safety we're talking about and smoke detectors are relatively inexpensive these days!
Click to expand...

Eh, depends. I have like... 14 smoke detectors in our house.

14 * ~$30 each = $420.

I can easily afford it, but just saying it's a decent chunk of change.
 
pete6032

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
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s0me0nesmind1 said:
Eh, depends. I have like... 14 smoke detectors in our house.

14 * ~$30 each = $420.

I can easily afford it, but just saying it's a decent chunk of change.
Click to expand...
It really depends on what you get. You can get the cheapest battery powered Kiddie brand ones that are smoke detector only for $5 each at Home Depot. I have those in our bedrooms and then I have a more expensive on in the hallway and kitchen.
 
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purbeast0

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
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Last year I got all new smoke detectors from my house. It was not cheap. I basically got the recent version of the ones I had around the house. Like 5/10 of mine all would beep because the "expired" chirp was going off on them and I just unplugged them. They would still chirp even if I put a new battery in them and then I looked up the light code and it meant they were expired.

The date on them was like 8.5 years ago (before we moved in) so I figured that was close enough to 10yrs. So I just got 10 new ones and it was around like $300 from Amazon.

The best part about the new ones is that they take AA batteries. I always have tons of those around so it's easy to replace the batteries when need be.

I got these ones.


They had 6 and 3 packs at the time too for a discount, so I got a 6 pack, 3 pack, and single one to replace em all.
 
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Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
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Yeah, I like the fact that the two dual-function I just ordered (see above) use a couple of AA's. I always have those handy, alkaline and Eneloop.
 
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
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www.betteroff.ca
I think lot of it is a liability thing, after a certain date there's a higher chance they fail. Ex: bath tub curb. The radioactive ones may actually start to decay over time though, but the optical ones don't really have any parts that can degrade especially if they are sitting unused. Still a good idea to change them just to be safe though. What's crazy is I recall installing 10 year rated ones where even the battery said it was rated 10 years. They started to die on me and then I realized it really has been 10 years. :eek: Time goes by so fast. Nothing like being reminded by my smoke detectors how old I'm getting lol.
 
M

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
12,856
3,626
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First Alert has a FAQ on this topic:

First Alert Help Center

support.firstalert.com support.firstalert.com

sdifox said:
Combo detector on sale

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These are pretty good IMO. Costco sells a 3 pack of the "connected" (but not smart) version for $100, or $80 when there's a sale.
pete6032 said:
It really depends on what you get. You can get the cheapest battery powered Kiddie brand ones that are smoke detector only for $5 each at Home Depot. I have those in our bedrooms and then I have a more expensive on in the hallway and kitchen.
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You protect yourself where you sleep with the cheapest option? :p I agree the cost is very reasonable for the protection you're getting. No idea why ATOT 1%ers are griping about a few hundred bucks in detectors once a decade. :tearsofjoy:

The national standards on smoke detectors get updated every several years. An updated draft standard has been percolating for a while, which means compliant models will be mandated within a year or two. But if you buy one of the best-rated units now, it essentially meets the updated specs. In other words, any up-to-date $30 combo detector will outperform something from two decades ago.

A few states are starting to ban disposable battery-operated detectors because many people buy shitty batteries, and when the detectors start chirping at night, people end up pulling the batteries instead of quickly replacing them. So a 7 to 10 year rated detector with a 10-year sealed battery makes logical sense.

Finally, it's recommended to use good alkaline batteries in smoke detectors, because rechargeable AA cells have a lower voltage (some manuals may explicitly caution against using rechargeables). Here's a thread worth reading:
 
Lanyap

Lanyap

Elite Member
Dec 23, 2000
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The SDs new from 14 years ago may still be good - but, the technology has improved since then so you want to get new ones anyway. The last time I replaced my wired+9 volt models at ten years of age I replaced them with wired+10 year batteries so I don't have to replace regular batteries every year. I also replaced two of the SDs with SD/CO models.
 
WilliamM2

WilliamM2

Platinum Member
Jun 14, 2012
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Due to an addition on my house I had to buy all new smoke/CO alarms that were wired together in 2006 to meet current code. They all told me when they expired at 5 years old by chirping. The replacement bought in 2011 said they would expire in 10 years.

So you just reminded me that I will be spending some money soon. :)

I guess I should start looking for sales now, so I'm ready when they start to chirp. I think they died in the fall that year, so I have a little time.
 
M

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
12,856
3,626
136
WilliamM2 said:
Due to an addition on my house I had to buy all new smoke/CO alarms that were wired together in 2006 to meet current code. They all told me when they expired at 5 years old by chirping. The replacement bought in 2011 said they would expire in 10 years.

So you just reminded me that I will be spending some money soon. :)

I guess I should start looking for sales now, so I'm ready when they start to chirp. I think they died in the fall that year, so I have a little time.
Click to expand...
The following 3-pack is on sale (a few times a year), and IIRC tested well by Consumer Reports.


They're connected so if one detector alerts, they all do.
 
Torn Mind

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
12,004
2,748
136
If they're in a rental, they better be up to date or else the inspectors will get you.
 
PowerEngineer

PowerEngineer

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2001
3,583
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Muse

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,902
9,597
136
manly said:
The following 3-pack is on sale (a few times a year), and IIRC tested well by Consumer Reports.


They're connected so if one detector alerts, they all do.
Click to expand...
Access Denied
You don't have permission to access "http://www.costco.com/first-alert-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm,-3-pack.product.100347069.html" on this server.
Reference #18.4def6368.1617321350.fdbc57
o_O

Doh! I'm a Costco member, WTH...
 
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