They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= Bill Browning = wrote:

They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?


How do you know they test ok? Just because the little buzzer makes noise when
you press the button doesn't count.


--

-Graham

Remove the snails to email

In article ,
G. Morgan wrote:

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= Bill Browning = wrote:

They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?


How do you know they test ok? Just because the little buzzer makes noise when
you press the button doesn't count.

Test them with a cigarette

--
Free men own guns, slaves don't
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= Nick Hull = wrote:

Test them with a cigarette

No. That is not an approved testing method.


--

-Graham

Remove the snails to email

In article ,
G. Morgan wrote:

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= Nick Hull = wrote:

Test them with a cigarette

No. That is not an approved testing method.

Not approved but ti sure checks to see if the unit is responding.

--
Free men own guns, slaves don't
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= Nick Hull = wrote:

No. That is not an approved testing method.

Not approved but ti sure checks to see if the unit is responding.


Not an accurate test et all. Just "responding" aint gonna cut it.



--

-Graham

Remove the snails to email

G. Morgan wrote:
= Nick Hull = wrote:
Test them with a cigarette

No. That is not an approved testing method.

From my Nighthawk manual, page 1-6:

"While it is not required, on occasion you may wish to observe and
become familiar with your alarm's response in the actual presence of
carbon monoxide or Gas. The best and safest way to do this is with
either a cigarette or an incense stick."

--

In Memoriam: Julius the cat April 1, 1993 - February 3, 2005
Never forgotten: Chane, Tigger, Koshka, Serenity, Rocky

Bill Browning wrote:
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If
they still test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.

The sensors become less sensitive and the test button does not test
this.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

Joseph Meehan wrote:
Bill Browning wrote:
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If
they still test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.

The sensors become less sensitive and the test button does not
test
this.

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

Ok, I can agree on the test button. But mine goes through about 3
minutes of self test on powerup. Is this a sufficient test?

Bob S.

Bill Browning wrote:
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.


The sensors are not as sensitive after time, due to many factors including dirt
grease etc...

ChrisGW

What if the tester is not permanently mounted? That is, what if the tester
is brought out only occasionally, from my work-bench drawer?
I know batteries have a shelf life, even if they aren't being used. Are CO
alarms similarly limited?

"ChrisGW" wrote in message
...
Bill Browning wrote:
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they
still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.


The sensors are not as sensitive after time, due to many factors including
dirt
grease etc...

ChrisGW

In article , "John B"
wrote:

What if the tester is not permanently mounted? That is, what if the tester
is brought out only occasionally, from my work-bench drawer?
I know batteries have a shelf life, even if they aren't being used. Are CO
alarms similarly limited?

You are testing the battery circuit.

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:31:24 -0800, "John B" wrote:

What if the tester is not permanently mounted? That is, what if the tester
is brought out only occasionally, from my work-bench drawer?
I know batteries have a shelf life, even if they aren't being used. Are CO
alarms similarly limited?

"ChrisGW" wrote in message
...
Bill Browning wrote:
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they
still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.


The sensors are not as sensitive after time, due to many factors including
dirt
grease etc...

ChrisGW

The why bother with a CO detector at all, if it is in a work bench
drawer? For a CO detector to be useful it needs to be in an area with
a natural airflow. A drawer would not seem to qualify.

I suppose you could be working occasionally with a forge, or gas fired
kiln or some such thing, and then take it out only when you need it.
However, workshop environments are not usually pristine, and I would
think it would still be prudent to change it out after the expiration
date.

Gary Dyrkacz

Radio Control Aircraft/Paintball Physics/Paintball for 40+
http://home.attbi.com/~dyrgcmn/

I'm not proposing continual surveillance for CO. I'd only pull my CO tester
out of the workshop drawer occasionally, take it to some heater I'm
interested in, and test the exhaust gasses, room air, etc.

"Gary Dyrkacz" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:31:24 -0800, "John B" wrote:

What if the tester is not permanently mounted? That is, what if the
tester
is brought out only occasionally, from my work-bench drawer?
I know batteries have a shelf life, even if they aren't being used. Are
CO
alarms similarly limited?

"ChrisGW" wrote in message
...
Bill Browning wrote:
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If
they
still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.


The sensors are not as sensitive after time, due to many factors
including
dirt
grease etc...

ChrisGW

The why bother with a CO detector at all, if it is in a work bench
drawer? For a CO detector to be useful it needs to be in an area with
a natural airflow. A drawer would not seem to qualify.

I suppose you could be working occasionally with a forge, or gas fired
kiln or some such thing, and then take it out only when you need it.
However, workshop environments are not usually pristine, and I would
think it would still be prudent to change it out after the expiration
date.

Gary Dyrkacz

Radio Control Aircraft/Paintball Physics/Paintball for 40+
http://home.attbi.com/~dyrgcmn/

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:25:23 GMT, "Bill Browning"
wrote:

They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.


imho:

I was told in my nfpa based training every 10, since a decade passing
brings new 'features' in the new products, and circuitry isn't tested
to last beyond a decade of use.

Might be a UL issue.

hth,

tom @ www.URLBee.com

wrote:
On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:25:23 GMT, "Bill Browning"
wrote:


They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.



imho:

I was told in my nfpa based training every 10, since a decade passing
brings new 'features' in the new products, and circuitry isn't tested
to last beyond a decade of use.

Might be a UL issue.

hth,

tom @ www.URLBee.com

That sounds almost like an old safety NCO that said a knot
in an electrical cord was bad because the electrons had to
speed around the corners and that made the wire hot.

Apparently your instructors fall into the same category. I
would be very leery of any of their personal descriptions of
how things work.

Some sensors have a limited lifetime. But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got
another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= George E. Cawthon = wrote:

But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got
another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.


The bottom line is, the NFPA recommends replacing any smoke detector every ten
years. Unless you have the equipment to test the sensitivity of the unit, you
can NOT be sure it is functioning correctly. In fact, for commercial
applications - they MUST be tested for sensitivity range every year, or be
replaced.

All you cheap *******s:

Replace your smokes if they are over 10 years old.


--

-Graham

Remove the snails to email

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 23:35:57 -0600, G. Morgan
wrote:

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= George E. Cawthon = wrote:

But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got
another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.


The bottom line is, the NFPA recommends replacing any smoke detector every ten
years. Unless you have the equipment to test the sensitivity of the unit, you
can NOT be sure it is functioning correctly. In fact, for commercial
applications - they MUST be tested for sensitivity range every year, or be
replaced.

All you cheap *******s:

Replace your smokes if they are over 10 years old.

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 23:35:57 -0600, G. Morgan
wrote:

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= George E. Cawthon = wrote:

But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got
another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.


The bottom line is, the NFPA recommends replacing any smoke detector every ten
years. Unless you have the equipment to test the sensitivity of the unit, you
can NOT be sure it is functioning correctly. In fact, for commercial
applications - they MUST be tested for sensitivity range every year, or be
replaced.

All you cheap *******s:

Replace your smokes if they are over 10 years old.


Good point, I didn't go looking for the nfpa stance, but if you are
right, this could be ground for insurance companies failing to pay
benifits.



later,


tom @ www.MedicalJobList.com

On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 05:06:39 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

wrote:
On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:25:23 GMT, "Bill Browning"
wrote:


They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.



imho:

I was told in my nfpa based training every 10, since a decade passing
brings new 'features' in the new products, and circuitry isn't tested
to last beyond a decade of use.

Might be a UL issue.

hth,

tom @ www.URLBee.com

That sounds almost like an old safety NCO that said a knot
in an electrical cord was bad because the electrons had to
speed around the corners and that made the wire hot.

Apparently your instructors fall into the same category. I
would be very leery of any of their personal descriptions of
how things work.

Some sensors have a limited lifetime. But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got

For like 10 bucks, is it worth it? I mean if the smoke detector meant
to be replaced after 10 years(why now some come with 10 year batteries
so you just toss when the battery dies), you might be gambling with
lives.

Just say 10 bucks is cheap.

another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.



later,

tom @ www.ChopURL.com

wrote:
On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 05:06:39 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:


wrote:

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:25:23 GMT, "Bill Browning"
wrote:



They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.



imho:

I was told in my nfpa based training every 10, since a decade passing
brings new 'features' in the new products, and circuitry isn't tested
to last beyond a decade of use.

Might be a UL issue.

hth,

tom @ www.URLBee.com

That sounds almost like an old safety NCO that said a knot
in an electrical cord was bad because the electrons had to
speed around the corners and that made the wire hot.

Apparently your instructors fall into the same category. I
would be very leery of any of their personal descriptions of
how things work.

Some sensors have a limited lifetime. But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got


For like 10 bucks, is it worth it? I mean if the smoke detector meant
to be replaced after 10 years(why now some come with 10 year batteries
so you just toss when the battery dies), you might be gambling with
lives.

Just say 10 bucks is cheap.


another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.




later,

tom @ www.ChopURL.com
Who says it is meant to be replaced after 10 years? Not on
the unit. Not in the instruction manual. It is an ac wired
unit intended for long term use. Give it a test like the
instruction say and if it passes it is ok. Blindly
following some arbitrary rule for replacing the unit is not
only stupid but wasteful of resources. Test the damn thing.

I have NFPA document [can't see on website]detailing sound logic for
the 10 year cycle.
Its down to the MTBF rating.
In UK all smoke alarms have to have their replacement date marked on
product label, which is 11 years from manufacture ie 1 year allowed
for shipping/storage etc.

Alarms like most electronics are getting more features for lower
prices year on year, so replacement makes sense.

Bear in mind too majority of householders never carry out any alarm
maintenance as detailed in manuls.
Causes alarms to become over sensitive ie go off for no apparent
reason,
which p***s off householder, who may well then disconnect from AC
power/remove battery.

On CO ALarms most CO cells have max life of 6 to 7 years and many will
shut down via in built firmware.

AGain research shows they do not operate within the UL or British
Standard parameters, ie start to drift & become less sensitive.

"George E. Cawthon" wrote in message ...
wrote:
On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 05:06:39 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:


wrote:

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:25:23 GMT, "Bill Browning"
wrote:



They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.



imho:

I was told in my nfpa based training every 10, since a decade passing
brings new 'features' in the new products, and circuitry isn't tested
to last beyond a decade of use.

Might be a UL issue.

hth,

tom @ www.URLBee.com

That sounds almost like an old safety NCO that said a knot
in an electrical cord was bad because the electrons had to
speed around the corners and that made the wire hot.

Apparently your instructors fall into the same category. I
would be very leery of any of their personal descriptions of
how things work.

Some sensors have a limited lifetime. But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got


For like 10 bucks, is it worth it? I mean if the smoke detector meant
to be replaced after 10 years(why now some come with 10 year batteries
so you just toss when the battery dies), you might be gambling with
lives.

Just say 10 bucks is cheap.


another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.




later,

tom @ www.ChopURL.com
Who says it is meant to be replaced after 10 years? Not on
the unit. Not in the instruction manual. It is an ac wired
unit intended for long term use. Give it a test like the
instruction say and if it passes it is ok. Blindly
following some arbitrary rule for replacing the unit is not
only stupid but wasteful of resources. Test the damn thing.

On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 06:57:57 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:

wrote:
On Fri, 11 Feb 2005 05:06:39 GMT, "George E. Cawthon"
wrote:


wrote:

On Thu, 10 Feb 2005 05:25:23 GMT, "Bill Browning"
wrote:



They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.



imho:

I was told in my nfpa based training every 10, since a decade passing
brings new 'features' in the new products, and circuitry isn't tested
to last beyond a decade of use.

Might be a UL issue.

hth,

tom @ www.URLBee.com

That sounds almost like an old safety NCO that said a knot
in an electrical cord was bad because the electrons had to
speed around the corners and that made the wire hot.

Apparently your instructors fall into the same category. I
would be very leery of any of their personal descriptions of
how things work.

Some sensors have a limited lifetime. But many old smoke
detectors are based on a light sensor and there is no reason
that the circuit wouldn't last for decades. My original
smoke detector still works after nearly 30 years. I've got


For like 10 bucks, is it worth it? I mean if the smoke detector meant
to be replaced after 10 years(why now some come with 10 year batteries
so you just toss when the battery dies), you might be gambling with
lives.

Just say 10 bucks is cheap.


another 10 year old smoke detector (ionization type) which
is still so sensitive it goes off every time somebody make
toast.




later,

tom @ www.ChopURL.com
Who says it is meant to be replaced after 10 years? Not on

NFPA Does: http://www.chopurl.com?619



the unit. Not in the instruction manual. It is an ac wired
unit intended for long term use. Give it a test like the
instruction say and if it passes it is ok. Blindly
following some arbitrary rule for replacing the unit is not
only stupid but wasteful of resources. Test the damn thing.

Greetings,

If the company that makes the alarm tells you to replace it after five or
ten years they only have to charge you for that many years of liability in
the purchase price.

Hope this helps,
William


"Bill Browning" wrote in message
news:7fCOd.14294$ya6.298@trndny01...
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they
still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.

"Bill Browning" wrote in message
news:7fCOd.14294$ya6.298@trndny01...
They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they
still
test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.



Easy...and the makers will tellyou this as well.

The sensor loses sensitivity.
They also lose sensitivity if they have been exposed to a large amount of
CO,or even CO2.

The better ones, will simply shut off and will not work after the internal 5
year timer is up. The ones I use, do this. They have an end of life alarm,
and state this clearly in the paperwork.

Steve@carolinabreezehvac wrote:
"Bill Browning" wrote in message
news:7fCOd.14294$ya6.298@trndny01...

They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they

still

test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.




Easy...and the makers will tellyou this as well.

The sensor loses sensitivity.
They also lose sensitivity if they have been exposed to a large amount of
CO,or even CO2.

The better ones, will simply shut off and will not work after the internal 5
year timer is up. The ones I use, do this. They have an end of life alarm,
and state this clearly in the paperwork.

We just bought a replacement for in some rental property. The label
says the limited warranty expires in 5 years, but nothing about the
functionality of the smoke/CO detector itself.

I keep my CO tester out-of-use most of the time. It's in a workshop drawer,
until I take it with me to test a site. Will it extend the life of the
tester to take the battery out when the tester sits in the drawer for months
at a time?

"William W. Plummer" wrote in message
...
Steve@carolinabreezehvac wrote:
"Bill Browning" wrote in message
news:7fCOd.14294$ya6.298@trndny01...

They say to replace your CO alarms every 5 or 10 years. Why? If they

still

test OK, why replace them?
Bill B.




Easy...and the makers will tellyou this as well.

The sensor loses sensitivity.
They also lose sensitivity if they have been exposed to a large amount
of
CO,or even CO2.

The better ones, will simply shut off and will not work after the
internal 5
year timer is up. The ones I use, do this. They have an end of life
alarm,
and state this clearly in the paperwork.

We just bought a replacement for in some rental property. The label
says the limited warranty expires in 5 years, but nothing about the
functionality of the smoke/CO detector itself.

Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= John B = wrote:

I keep my CO tester out-of-use most of the time. It's in a workshop drawer,
until I take it with me to test a site. Will it extend the life of the
tester to take the battery out when the tester sits in the drawer for months
at a time?


Are you talking about a test instrument or a detector (life-safety device)?




--

-Graham

Remove the snails to email

I have an inexpensive detector, which I bought at Home Depot.
"G. Morgan" wrote in message
...
Subject: CO alarms.
Newsgroup: alt.home.repair
= John B = wrote:

I keep my CO tester out-of-use most of the time. It's in a workshop
drawer,
until I take it with me to test a site. Will it extend the life of the
tester to take the battery out when the tester sits in the drawer for
months
at a time?


Are you talking about a test instrument or a detector (life-safety
device)?




--

-Graham

Remove the snails to email