On Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 6:58:31 PM UTC-5, TomR wrote:
In news typed:
On Sat, 17 Jan 2015 18:00:22 -0500, micky
wrote:

On Sat, 17 Jan 2015 14:01:23 -0800 (PST), wrote:

I have a condo and it has the original smoke detectors, FireX.
Probably about 20 years old. they don't take batteries, that's
probably why they have not received much attention. The are
hardwired to AC with a signal wire to the other 2 detectors. Don't
believe they are on a separate circuit, should they be ?

Should they be replaced ?

tHAT's what they say.

You could light a fire under one of them and see if the alarm goes
off. You wouldn't need a big fire, even a wooden match would do I
think even a wooden match that had been extinguished would make
enough smoke.

The problem is that you woudn't know if it was as sensitive as it
should be. I guess you should have done this when you first moved
in, so you'd have a standard to compare with.

Recommendations !?

Thanks
Should be replaced every 8 to 10 years.

Getting direct replacements for your line powered interconnected units
may not be as simple as adding battery operated independent units.

I think if he unplugs one unit and brings it to a Home Depot or Lowes or ACE
Hardware etc., they will have compatible units that can be used for
replacements -- and probably they will be hardwired units with a battery
backup in case of power failure. That's what I did with a 110-volt AC
hardwired interconnected alarm system that I have.

Unfortunately, I think code requires that they be battery backed up now.
I'd rather just have the AC ones and not have to deal with screwing around
every year with changing batteries. Yeah, the battery backup provides a
little extra safety, but not worth it to me.

Another curious thing I don't understand. The AC plus battery back up ones
I've had experience with, the batteries have to be replaced about once a
year, they start beeping. What's up with that? You would think AC would
power the thing, with the battery only being called on when the AC goes
out. But if that were the case, then the batteries should last a few years.
Any idea what's up with that? Any experience?