Re: Smoke alarms

[Jim <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On May 2, 4:05=A0pm, nick markowitz <nmarkow...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On May 2, 3:20=A0pm, Jim <alarmi...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > 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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx=
m...
>
> > > > > I have three two wire smoke alarms hard wired to my Napco 3200 pa=
nel.
> > > > > 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=
 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. =A0I would download the installation sheet for your smok=
e detector
> > > > and test them (if they have a magnet test) according to the sheet a=
nd
> > > > replace any that do not test within spec. =A0You may want to replac=
e them
> > > > anyway as there was an ESL 400 series smoke recall sometime back th=
en.
> > > > 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 =A0 =A0 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. =A0Get 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 =A0Get 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.-

Why would ESL's "have to have a higher false alarm rate as they get
older"

The ESL's have a  "dirty sensor mode" also.

I've used them for over 25 years and don't have much ..... if any
problems at all with them.