Advice about hardwired smoke detectors
#1
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Location: USA
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Advice about hardwired smoke detectors
I just moved into a new house with high (12'-15') ceilings. Some of the hardwired smoke detectors either had backup batteries that were running low or were at their end of life. So, I have smoke detectors chirping at 3 am. I have to get on a high ladder to reach them. Neither replacing nor removing the battery (nor hitting the silence button) quiets them. I have to disconnect them, take them down, then remove the battery.
I realize that the best place to have a smoke detector is on the ceiling. However, I think it's more likely that in the early hours of the morning I'll fall from a ladder and break my neck then it is that I'll die in a fire. I'm thinking of replacing the hardwired smoke detectors with battery operated detectors positioned on the walls so that I can reach them with a step ladder and just replace the batteries if the unit starts chirping.
Does that make sense or is it a bad idea?
I realize that the best place to have a smoke detector is on the ceiling. However, I think it's more likely that in the early hours of the morning I'll fall from a ladder and break my neck then it is that I'll die in a fire. I'm thinking of replacing the hardwired smoke detectors with battery operated detectors positioned on the walls so that I can reach them with a step ladder and just replace the batteries if the unit starts chirping.
Does that make sense or is it a bad idea?
#2
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Hardwired and interconnected detectors may be code in your area and changing to a non-compliant setup could cause your insurance company to deny payment after a fire.