Fire officials are making a push during the month of October to inform Massachusetts residents that alarms in homes throughout the state may be nearing the end of their useful lifespan and may require replacement.
In 2015, a change in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Code resulted in requiring that replacement smoke alarms in most homes have a sealed, 10-year battery along with a hush feature. Therefore, alarms purchased at the time of the changed law will be hitting their 10-year lifespan.
“Right now, the alarms that were purchased and put into service 10 years ago are reaching the end of their useful lifespan. Our concern is that a wave of smoke alarms in homes across Massachusetts won’t be reliable in the months ahead,” said Westborough Fire Chief Patrick Purcell who serves as president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. “Smoke alarms are like any other appliance - they don’t last forever,” he said.
Residents can check the manufacturing date of their smoke alarms by looking at the back of the device for the printed information.
“If it’s more than 10 years old, or if it doesn’t have a date, replace it right away. If it’s not 10 years old and it takes alkaline batteries, this is a great time to put fresh batteries in to be sure you’re protected through the winter,” said Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli.
Fire officials recommend that new alarms meet UL Standard 217, 8th Edition or later. Consumers can find the UL information on packaging or product specifications. These alarms have technology to prevent nuisance alarms caused by cooking smoke.
In disposing of old smoke alarms, consumers should take care to avoid putting lithium-ion batteries into household trash or recycling, says Easthampton Fire Chief Christopher Norris, who serves as FCAM’s Second Vice President. “If they’re crushed or punctured in a compactor truck or a transfer station, they could cause a fire that’s very difficult to extinguish.”
Fire officials generally have encouraged residents to check both their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks at Daylight Savings Time each spring and fall. As part of good practice in changing alarms, consumers should check the manufacturing date on the back of the units; replace alarms every 10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions; choose new smoke alarms from a well-known national brand and choose one that is UL or Intertek/ETL rated; and ensure the replacement alarm has a long battery life and hush feature that meets UL Standard 217, 8th Edition or later.
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