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Re: Smoke alarms



On 5/2/2011 1:05 PM, nick markowitz wrote:
> On May 2, 3:20 pm, Jim<alarmi...@xxxxxxx>  wrote:
>> On May 2, 1:57 pm, zig<wallstreet123...@xxxxxxxxx>  wrote:
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>>> On May 2, 12:32 pm, "Bob La Londe"<onebike...@xxxxxxxxx>  wrote:
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>>>> "zig"<wallstreet123...@xxxxxxxxx>  wrote in message
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>>>> news:23508f44-0e18-42bc-819d-dec17308e954@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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>>>>> I have three two wire smoke alarms hard wired to my Napco 3200 panel.
>>>>> The smoke detectors are over 13 years old and they labeled ESL
>>>>> (Photoelectic)  2-Wire Smoke Detector.
>>>>> Should smoke detectors be replaced after a certain period of time and
>>>>> if so what Brand/model do you recommend to replace these with and what
>>>>> are the
>>>>> steps required to install the new ones?
>>
>>>>> As always thanks for your help.
>>
>>>>> Steven
>>
>>>> I have heard it said before that smoke detectors should be replaced every
>>>> ten years.  I would download the installation sheet for your smoke detector
>>>> and test them (if they have a magnet test) according to the sheet and
>>>> replace any that do not test within spec.  You may want to replace them
>>>> anyway as there was an ESL 400 series smoke recall sometime back then.
>>>> Currently I like the ESL 521 BXT for general 2-wire applications.
>>
>>> Thanks Bob,
>>> Is it as easy as just removing the wires from the old units and
>>> attaching them to the new detectors or must I do something on the
>>> alarm panel first?-
>>
>> If you don't power down the panel, when you disconnect your old
>> smokes, the panel will go into a trouble condition and you could cause
>> an actual alarm. ( I don't know if you're hooked to central station or
>> not)
>>
>> Probably better if you just power down the panel, remove and replace
>> the smoke detectors then power back up.
>>
>> Mark all the wires so you know which is positive and negative, before
>> you remove the wires from the old detectors.
>>
>> If you're connected to Central Station, call them first and put the
>> system on test before you do the following.
>> Test all the new detectors after you power the system back up. There's
>> a magnet test function but I like to use real smoke. There is "smoke
>> in a can" that you can buy but no one has ever convinced me that it
>> doesn't leave something behind in the smoke chamber. I take a couple
>> of paper towels and twist them really-really     tight. Over a sink, I
>> light the paper towels and just let them burn for a minute or so and
>> then blow out the flame. The towels will remain smoking for quite some
>> time. Go back to the sink occasionally and blow on the towels to keep
>> the embers glowing and to get rid of the ash.  Get a magazine or
>> newspaper to bring with you to use as a fan to clear the smoke from
>> the detector. You may want to temporaraly disconnect the siren from
>> the panel  Get a small ladder so you can hold the smoking towels very
>> close to the detector. It can take a minute or more for the detector
>> to trip, depending on a couple of factors. When the detector trips,
>> fan it with the magazine/etc for 20/30 seconds to clear the chamber.
>> Check the keypad for the proper detector and reset the system. Go to
>> the next detector .... etc.
>>
>> This method WILL leave a little burning smell in the house but it
>> dissipates quickly.
>>
>> Reconnect the siren.
>
> The 10 year recommendation from NFPA is in regards to Ionization type
> smoke detectors not photo electric which you have as long as they pass
> yearly inspection there should be bo problems with them. how ever ESL
> does have to have a higher false alarm rate as they geet older and
> dirty if your going to replace them look at the System sensor brand I
> -3


> Brand very good units and they warn if they get dirty.

So do the ESLs.  They have a "clean me" mode.  I also like the snap in
snap out replaceable smoke chambers that only cost a couple dollars.






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