Why alarms collect debris
Smoke alarms are installed high on walls or ceilings where household dust, renovation debris, insects and cooking particles can reach their openings. A unit does not need to look dirty from the floor to have buildup around the sensing chamber.
Cleaning without disabling protection
Detector Inspectors cleans the installed alarms as part of the basic visit and then tests them. Do not paint an alarm, cover its openings or use liquid cleaners on it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model whenever you maintain a unit yourself.
Cleaning does not extend expiration
A clean ten-year-old smoke alarm is still a ten-year-old smoke alarm. Cleaning addresses contamination; replacement addresses the designed service life. The manufacture date or replace-by marking on the back is the reliable place to start.
Safety references
Primary sources used for this page:
Manufacturer instructions and current local requirements control. For an emergency, call 911.