Smoke Detector Testers – A smoke detector is one of the most important pieces of safety equipment in your home. They provide early warning when a fire breaks out, creating a loud alert that notifies even the sleepiest occupants of the danger and providing time for escape.
Smoke detectors are proven performers, with thousands of lives saved since they were first introduced. Click here for the Best-Selling Fire Safety Products.
Good smoke detector maintenance means testing the unit at least twice a year and replacing its batteries as needed. It’s also important to replace the entire detector if it malfunctions and as soon it is at least ten years old.
However, it is important to understand that simply pressing the “test” button on a smoke detector is not an accurate indication of the unit’s reliability. All this does is confirm that the audible alarm works and that the battery still has life. It does nothing to confirm that the detector will actually go off if a fire breaks out.
With so much riding on the reliable performance of a smoke detector, that gap is unacceptable. But how can you perform that test safely? One option many people try is to light a match and then blow it out, allowing the smoke to drift into a detector. This might work, but there are several potential problems with it. First, there may not be enough smoke to trigger the detector. Second, holding a hot match over your head can be dangerous, even after it has been blown out. Third, lighting a match is always a fire hazard. If you drop it, you can be burned or even cause a fire. That is definitely not how you want to test your smoke detector!
Fortunately, there is a better solution available. A smoke detector tester can be used to activate the unit and confirm that it really will go off if a real fire breaks out. Smoke detector testers are safe, reliable, and affordable. Using them every 30 days or so is a cheap, easy way to make sure that the units are working normally.
The tester is simply a can that contains a quantity of compressed artificial smoke. When it reaches the detector, it triggers the unit in the same way that real smoke would. Smoke detector testers are effective in both photoelectric and ionization detectors. There is no need to wonder if your particular system can be tested by the product.
The process of testing is simple. The most important element is safety. Many detectors are installed in high locations that are difficult to reach. If yours are mounted on high walls or ceilings, you may need a ladder to get access to them. Those on a regular 8-foot ceiling are easy to reach from a step-stool or short ladder. Make sure you have a solid surface, a reliable climbing device, and good shoes on before climbing. If you have balance issues or mobility limitations, it will be better to have someone else test your detectors for you. Regardless of the location, you don’t have to get the tester right up to the detector, but it’s a good idea to be ready to replace batteries after testing.
Make sure you have enough new batteries to put one in every detector. That way you can immediately replace any that are found to be dead. It’s also important to make some notifications before proceeding. If other people are at home when you conduct your test, make sure they know what you are doing. It can be a rather unpleasant surprise to hear the smoke detector going off. Let everyone know you are testing.
If you have a central fire alarm system with detectors linked to it, you will also need to notify your alarm company. Tell them that you are testing detectors and that they should disregard any alarms they receive from you until further notice. Have your passcode or other security information ready to give to the operator. If you don’t make this call, they’ll receive an alarm and may send the fire department to you. This may result in a fine from your city, and it will also tie up firefighters who need to remain available for real emergencies. Your monitoring company might also be able to provide testing for you, free of charge and with a guarantee of no false alarms going to the fire department. Talk to your provider to see if this is an option for you.
Once you’ve taken care of these steps, discharge the tester for a second or so. You’ll see the puff of artificial smoke come out of the tester. Once it reaches the detector, it should activate quickly.
Any detector that does not go off after a second attempt should be checked further. If you install a new battery and test again with the same result, there is obviously a problem with the detector. It should be considered faulty and replaced immediately. Remember that there is no margin for error when lives are on the line; if you have any doubt about a detector’s ability to activate when you need it most, get rid of it and install a new one.
Test all your detectors in sequence. Once each one activates, allow it to quit beeping before proceeding to the next one. If you have several alarms already going off, it may be hard to tell if the next one is actually going off or if you’re just getting background noise from the others.
After each detector has been tested, contact your alarm company and advise them that testing is complete. They will then resume normal monitoring and treat any further alarms as credible. Tell everyone in the house that you have finished so that they know it’s time to start paying attention to the detectors again.
Regular testing of smoke detectors is easy and fast with a smoke detector tester. This safe, simple product will give you peace of mind that your home’s most important safety device is working normally and ready to protect you.