POLL: 10 year battery

[ICE]

California requires that smoke alarms have a ten year battery that can't be replaced. The alarms are expensive but won't start chirping for ten years... or so the manufacturers claim.

 

[steveray]

No...and mine lasted about7 years..But who wants to get better than a C anyway....Just seems like a lot of work to be more than mediocre...

 

[jar546]

I don't like the question. A 10 year battery is an option for existing properties, but hard-wired is the requirement. If you qualify to use a batter SA, then it has to be 10 year. I did not answer the poll due to this confusion.

 

[ICE]

Kidde 10 Year Worry-Free Hardwired Smoke Detector with Intelligent Wire-Free Voice Interconnect and Safety Light 21027326 - The Home Depot

This 120-Volt Hardwired Voice Smoke Alarm with Emergency Light Intelligent Wire-Free Interconnect and 10-Year Battery Backup features voice alert, wireless interconnectivity, a sealed-in 10-Year Backup

www.homedepot.com

 

[Yikes]

On a related note, for public housing subject to CBC 11B for dwelling units with "communication features", where you are using detectors with built-in strobe alarms:
Kidde (and other manufacturers) state that in event of 120 volt power failure, the built-in 10 year battery will power the audible alarm but will NOT power the built-in strobe.
We are starting to get comments from CASPs that these communication dwelling units need an additional external 120 volt emergency power supply.

 

[steveray]

We amend the crap out of that section...Is the 10 year battery option in the IRC?

 

[ICE]

Is the 10 year battery option in the IRC?

Not that I can find.

California has Health and Safety Codes, Senate Bills and Amendments that regulate beyond what the building codes require. For example, 120-volt garage door openers are required to have a battery backup to provide power in case the grid power goes down. People were found in cars, in garages after the Paradise fire. It was presumed that they perished because they couldn't open the garage door due to no electricity. As a result of a few deaths, the entire state has been ordered to only install new openers with a battery backup.

 

[SCBO1]

I didn't see the polls accuracy disclaimer. +/- . Are you using "Cochran's or Yamane's formula?

No requirement here, but I believe the manufactures recommend replacing the whole detector within ten years.

 

[Yikes]

I believe the manufactures recommend replacing the whole detector within ten years.

I wish I had a built-in market for repeat customers like that!

 

[rktect 1]

So the answer is yes, but once a permit is required we go above the Illinois requirement and need all hard wired smoke alarms with battery backup and interconnected.​

Illinois Smoke Alarm Law​

Effective January 1, 2023​

The updated law requires Illinois residents to replace their old smoke alarms with the type that has a long-term, 10-year sealed battery. This would apply to residents that are still using alarms with removable batteries or alarms that are not hardwire.

 

[tmurray]

In Canada, code requires a hardwired soke alarm, no exceptions. In addition, it has to have battery backup:

in case the regular power supply to the smoke alarm is interrupted, be provided with a battery as an alternative power source that can continue to provide power to the smoke alarm for a period of no less than 7 days in the normal condition, followed by 4 minutes of alarm.