Reprinted from necdigest
December 2005 Issue
Please note this safety alert applies to smoke alarms not smoke detectors.
Smoke alarms cannot remain in service longer than 10 years. NFPA 72,-2002, National Fire Alarm Code®, Chapter 10, requires that smoke alarms installed in one and two-family dwellings cannot remain in service longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture. Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer, single- and multiple-station smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings must be replaced when they fail to respond to operability tests, but are not to remain in service longer than 10 years.
It is important to realize that the 10-year replacement requirement is not dependant on the type of smoke alarm, but rather, is dependant upon occupancy. The 10-year replacement requirement only pertains to smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings. Research and data have demonstrated that these units are not maintained to the extent that system detectors are maintained. Therefore, replacement is required at intervals not to exceed 10 years. This requirement applies only to smoke alarms (not smoke detectors) located in one- and two-family units.
Section 11.6.1 permits smoke and heat alarms to receive their power from one of four means. When a smoke and heat alarm is powered by a non-chargeable, non-replaceable primary battery it must be capable of operating the device for at least 10 years in the normal condition followed by 4 minutes of alarm, followed by 7 days of trouble.
Smoke alarms powered by a 10-year battery must also be of the multiple-station type where installed in new construction in accordance with Section 11.5.1, and One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units; Section 11.5.3, New Apartment Buildings; Section 11.5.5, New Hotels and Dormitories and Section 11.5.7, New Day-Care Homes, which require interconnection of the alarms. Smoke alarms in existing construction may be of the single-station type.
The 4 minutes of alarm requirements applies to battery powered smoke alarms as well as to smoke alarms powered by 120 VAC or by a control panel power supply. Four minutes is considered sufficient time to warm occupants that a fire condition exists.
Regarding the 10-year replacement requirement, the supplier or installing contractor is required by Section11.8.1.4 to provide the owner or other responsible parties with information noting both of the following:
- Unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturer, smoke alarms are to be replaced when they fail to respond to tests.
- Smoke alarms must not remain in service longer than 10 years.
Chapter 10 provides visual inspection and testing requirements and their components. Chapter 10 also includes the testing and maintenance requirements for all single- and multiple-station smoke alarms and heat alarms; household fire alarms systems, including those in one- and two-family dwelling units; and those in other residential occupancies, such as apartments, hotel and motel rooms, and dormitory living units.
It is interesting that Table 10.3.1, Visual Inspection Frequencies, does not establish requirements for single- and multiple-station smoke alarms. This is because Table 10.4.2.2, Test Methods, in item 13.(g)2. requires functional tests for single- and multiple-station smoke alarms to be conducted according to manufacturer’s instructions. Smoke alarms used in one- and two-family dwellings are required to be functionally tested per the manufacturer’s instructions, but are not required by this Code to include a smoke entry test or to be sensitivity tested, unless required by the manufacturer. Further, Table 10.4.
3, Testing Frequencies, item 15.(j) requires single- and multiple-station smoke alarms to be tested monthly in accordance with Section 10.4.4. Homeowners are required to inspect and test smoke alarms and all connected appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions at least monthly. It is important for homeowners to keep the manufacturer’s instructions that were supplied with the smoke alarm. These instructions may require testing more frequently than once a month. The instructions also include important information about maintenance of the smoke alarm, including periodic cleaning and battery replacement information.
Smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings are exempt from the sensitivity testing requirements of Section 10.4.3.2.
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