Having a smoke detector in your home can be the difference between life and death. Every year, nearly 2,000 Americans lose their lives to fires, and about 30% of these fatal fires were in homes without a smoke detector. A smoke alarm detects smoke and will help protect your family by warning of a potential fire or helping you stop one before it starts.
When thinking about smoke detector installation, you should plan on having detectors installed on every level of your home. Specifically, you’ll want to install the alarms in every bedroom as well as just outside of sleeping areas. It’s also recommended to have a smoke detector within 10 feet of a cooking appliance.
Keep reading to learn about the basics of smoke detector alarms and a step-by-step process of smoke detector installation.
Types of smoke detectors
There are three common types of smoke detectors, all of which are battery powered:
- Ionization detectors—These detectors contain a chamber with two plates that continuously generates a small electric charge. Should smoke or fire enter the chamber and disrupt this electric charge, the detector will trigger an alarm.
- Photoelectric detectors—These smoke alarms rely on a light beam and light receptor. When smoke particles come between the beam and receptor, the reduction of light (or increase, depending on the detector) will trigger the detector.
- Dual detectors—These detectors contain the characteristics of both ionization and photoelectric detectors.
Special features of a smoke alarm
In addition to these standard detectors, you can also purchase a smoke detector that comes with special features, such as a carbon monoxide detector and light strobing effects. For instance, if you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you may want to install smoke alarms that use an intense strobe effect to wake you up in the event of a fire. Light-based detectors might not work for older adults, but smoke alarms that emit a mixed, low-pitched sound could be a better option.
Smoke detector installation guidelines
Before you install your smoke detector, confirm that any fastening materials—screws, nails, etc.—are appropriate for the surface in question. For example, if you’re not nailing your smoke detector into a stud, you may need a drywall anchor or other appropriate nail or screw to complete the installation and not cause serious damage to your walls. If necessary, contact the smoke detector manufacturer for recommendations.
How much time is required: Smoke detector installation shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.
Materials
- Smoke detector
- Smoke detector mounting bracket or plate
- Battery
- Hammer or drill
- Appropriate screws
- Mollys (if they come with the smoke detector)
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Mounting tape
How to install a smoke detector
Step #1: select the best possible location for your detector
Since smoke rises, a smoke detector should be installed on the ceiling or high on a wall. If placed on a wall, use your tape measure to make sure there are at least four inches of space from the ceiling to the smoke alarm to avoid dead air space. Dead air space is an area of the wall or ceiling where the air gets trapped, making it impossible for the smoke detector to monitor correctly.
For this reason, you should also keep detectors eight to 10 inches away from the corner of any ceiling and three feet from ceiling fans. Note: a smoke detector should never be more than 12 inches away from the ceiling.
Step #2: pre-draw the hole locations
Position your smoke detector’s mounting plate where you intend to install the alarm. Using a pencil, fill in the holes to mark where you intend to place the screws.
Step #3: hammer or drill holes
Once marked, use a drill or hammer to make the necessary holes. If the smoke detector came with Mollys, small plastic coverings meant to fit neatly into the holes to better stabilize the mounting plate, insert them now.
Step #4: screw in the mounting plate
After making your holes, replace the mounting plate into the correct position and fasten the screws into the holes, tightening it until it’s snug against the wall. Again, be sure that you’ve chosen the correct fasteners for the surface in question.
Step #5: place the battery in the detector and test the device
Before completing installation, place the appropriate battery into the unit and press the test button to trigger the alarm. It should respond with a chirp or beep that signals it’s on and functioning.
Step #6: complete your smoke detector installation
Reach up and slide the alarm into place against the mounting plate. If the alarm stays mounted and doesn’t dangle or fall out of place, it’s correctly installed.
Note: Installing wired smoke detectors will likely require professional help. Contact an electrician or your local fire department for more information.
How to install a smoke detector without drilling holes
Though most devices will require you to drill holes into your wall to keep the unit secure, some smoke detectors will come with mounting tape to make the installation process quick and easy. If your smoke alarm doesn’t come with mounting tape, you can use Velcro strips to secure your unit to the wall or ceiling.
Smoke detector installation cost
A single unit might cost between $20 and $60, or you might be putting in multiple units, raising the cost to a few hundred dollars. Remember: a smoke detector is essential for saving your life in case of a fire, so regardless of cost, they’re worth every penny.
Smoke detector safety reminders
To maximize your safety, keep these few reminders in mind:
- According to the National Fire Protection Association, make sure everyone in the house understands how a smoke detector works and what to do in the event of a fire.
- Don’t install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where air drafts could interfere with its operation.
- Never paint your smoke alarm, as this could prevent it from working properly.
- Test your smoke detector once a month and have battery backups on hand in case the battery in your smoke alarm unexpectedly dies.
- Vacuum the dust off your detector every several months.
- If your batteries aren’t lead or alkaline, consider replacing them once per year. Batteries with a longer life span typically won’t need to be replaced for 10 years.
- Unless otherwise suggested by the manufacturer, expect to replace your smoke detectors every 10 or so years.
