Re: Smoke alarms

[Jim <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On May 2, 1:57=A0pm, zig <wallstreet123...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On May 2, 12:32=A0pm, "Bob La Londe" <onebike...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "zig" <wallstreet123...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>
> >news:23508f44-0e18-42bc-819d-dec17308e954@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > > 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) =A02-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 wha=
t
> > > 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 eve=
ry
> > ten years. =A0I would download the installation sheet for your smoke de=
tector
> > and test them (if they have a magnet test) according to the sheet and
> > replace any that do not test within spec. =A0You may want to replace th=
em
> > 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.