Should I Use Battery (stand-alone) or fixed Smoke Detectors (connected to electrical power)?
Both fixed smoke detectors (that are connected to electrical power as part of a control system) and stand-alone battery-powered smoke detectors have benefits and drawbacks. Battery powered smoke detectors must have regular maintenance, including frequent testing and battery replacement. However, they are easy to install and relatively inexpensive. Fixed smoke detectors are much easier maintenance-wise, but must be hard-wired into your house. The Newport News Fire Department also recommends that you select an electric smoke detector that has a battery back-up; in rare cases, an electrical fire has been known to short out an electric smoke detector, silencing the alarm. . Q: Why Is My Smoke Detector Chirping? If you hear a faint “chirping” or “beeping” noise approximately every 30 seconds, your smoke detector is probably trying to tell you something: It’s hungry! Some smoke detectors are built to sound a warning alarm when the battery power begins to run low. By chirping, the smoke detec
