Proper Smoke Detector Testing

Smoke detector testing.

Most people don’t understand how to test a smoke alarm, pushing the button and sounding the alarm does not test the smoke detector circuitry, and it does however test the battery and the audio alarm.

The detection circuitry can only be tested with a smoke spray or actual smoke.  It’s never a good idea to light a fire in your house or apartment, so remove the smoke detector and take it outside to light a fire.  The best way to do this is plan ahead by purchasing one of those cheap cigars; they should provide you with plenty of smoke.

Make sure you are testing with a New Battery.

Wave the smoke under the unit until the alarm sounds, if after 10 seconds the alarm doesn’t go off use a vacuum cleaner to clean the face of the detector.  If on a second try it still refuses to sound off replace the unit.

Smoke detectors are required to be replaced every 10 years.