Smoke Detector Installation – Your first line of defense against a fire in your home is a smoke detector. These important devices are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week–as long as you keep them in good working order. That means making sure they have a reliable power supply and that they have not gone out of date. More on that in a minute.
Whether you’re installing detectors for the first time or replacing old units, the steps are basically the same. The main difference is whether you’re dealing with hard-wired detectors or the traditional battery-powered kind. Click here for the Best-Selling Fire Safety Products.
The difference between these two is simple. Battery-operated smoke detectors use a battery as their only power source. Hard-wired detectors are connected to the home’s electricity, so they don’t use batteries as their primary power source. However, they do have batteries inside as a backup in case of a power outage, tripped breaker, or other interruption to their power supply.
Before we go through the steps of installation, let’s return to the topic of outdated smoke detectors. Any smoke detector that is over ten years old should be replaced. That’s because the sensors that pick up smoke are only reliable for so long. Industry experts agree that ten years is long enough to count on a smoke detector. There should be a manufacture date printed somewhere on the detector to guide you in making this determination.
Whether you have old detectors, too few detectors, or no detectors at all, installation will follow the same five steps. Here’s how to do it.
Gather Your Tools
It doesn’t take many tools to install a smoke detector. Most homeowners should have everything on hand. A Phillips screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a light hammer, a wire cutter, and a step-stool top the list, with a taller ladder if you have high ceilings. As far as supplies, you will need the new detectors and a new battery for each one. Those are probably included with the detector, but you should check on that before you leave the hardware store.
You’ll need a drill with a bit sized to fit the detector’s drywall anchors. That measurement will be provided in the instructions. You’ll also need a permanent marker. This can be used not just to mark where the holes should be drilled but also for you to write the installation date on the plate for future reference.
Hard-wired Detectors: First, Shut Down the Power
Because a hard-wired detector is attached directly to your home’s wiring, it is just like an electrical outlet or a light switch. The power is always on, and any contact with the wiring could be deadly.
The only safe option is to shut off the breaker, and this can be tricky. Many homes have incorrect labels on breakers, so you might not shut off the right one. A safer option is to open the detector, remove the battery, and shut off the breaker. If the detector will no longer activate for a test, you have the wrong breaker. If you have a voltage tester, you can use it to see if the wires are still hot. When in doubt, shut off the whole house. Avoiding a shock is worth having to set all your clocks.
Removing the Old Detector
Smoke detectors fit onto a plate that is mounted on the wall, so the first step in removing the old one is to twist it off the plate. There should be arrows printed on the detector to show you which way to turn it, but it’s not hard to guess; after all, there are only two options!
Once the detector is off the plate, you can disconnect the wires on a hard-wired unit and set it aside. Before removing the plate, see if your new detectors are the same model. You may be able to skip a step, but most likely, the plate will have to come off. It is probably mounted with two screws. Remove them and take the plate down. If the walls have been painted around the detector, you might pull off some of the paint. Cut around the plate with a knife to break it loose.
Placing the Plate
Now you’re ready to mount the plate. Place it on the wall, noting any instructions about its orientation. If it’s a hard-wired unit, you may need to thread the wire through a hole in the plate first. Once you have it where it goes, use your marker to make a small dot through each of the screw holes. Set the plate aside and grab your drill. (You may get lucky and find that the new detector can use the same holes as the old one. If the anchors are still sturdy, this is just fine.)
Carefully drill the holes and insert the anchors. They may need a gentle tap from your hammer to get fully inserted. Then start the screws, tightening them only enough to hold them in place. Put the plate back on and finish tightening the screws. It’s a good idea to drive them by hand. If you use your drill, you may not be able to stop before the screw goes in too far and cracks the plate. Write the month and year on the plate with your marker.
Installing the Detector
Now it’s time to make the connections for hard-wired detectors. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, making sure to match the colors correctly and properly secure wire nuts.
The final step is simple. Place the detector so that its slots fit onto the tabs on the plate, then rotate the detector until it is secure. Give it a gentle pull to check your work. Then install the battery, making sure to align the positive and negative posts correctly. Hold down the “test” button until the detector beeps, then turn the power back on.
With these simple steps, you can replace or add smoke detectors easily, effectively, and safely, creating a critical layer of protection for your family and your home.