I need to replace the smoke detectors in my home. They are wired into the electrical system. I also need to install Carbon Monoxide detectors. Are there combo units? Brands? Attach to electrical system or battery powered?
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I don't have an answer, but I'm interested as well. One issue I imagine with combo units is the mounting locations. Smokes go on the ceiling, CO detectors usually go on the wall.
Andy,
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yes
There are combo units. If the wiring is in place they should be hardwired. If your house is of recent vintage there will be a third wire connecting all the units so that if one goes off, they all will.
Detectors
House is 25 years old so no third wire. What do yoecommend in this case?
When I renovated the house where I grew up, my intention was to rent it out. I wanted smokes and CO detectors, but the house is more than 50 years old and not hardwired for them. I installed battery operated smokes that communicate with each other with radio signals. The CO detectors are seperate.
Detectors
Do you recall the brand and/or where you bought them?
Keep in mind that you don't need as many CO2 detectors as you need smoke detectors. Dunno about code, but for practical purposes you only need a CO2 detector near "combustion appliances".
There are combo smoke/CO2 units,but last time I went shopping it was hard to find units that had both and were hardwired with battery backup. And not all units are able to be interconnnected. The range of options is curiously narrow, IMO.
The best smoke detectors (better "real" detection and fewer false alarms) are photoelectric, but the vast majority of units are ionization type. (You can tell the difference because the ionization type has the radiation warning on the back.)
Our house, built in 1972, has the 3-wire setup, so don't assume that your house doesn't until you check.
3 wire setup
If I understand correctly the third wire ties them all together so that if one goes off the others will also? We have set off individual alrams....first floor from cooking smoke in the kitchen and basement when cutting/burning wood on the table saw. When these sounded on separate occassions the others in the house did not sound. Should I assume from this that there is no third wire? I'll look anyway but just curious.
There may be no 3rd wire, or it may just not be used. (Keep in mind the 3rd wire will be red or blue, not black or white or green.)
Thank You. I will look to see if 3rd wire is present.
We have a 1959 home that was recently wired with these:
Kidde Smoke & CO Alarm Model #KN-COSM-IB at furnace
Kidde Ionization & Photoelectric Smoke ALarm Model #P12010 bedrooms & hall (4)
They are hard wire with battery backup.
My understamding is one in each bedroom and one not in any bedroom.
Detectors
Thank You!!!!!
locations
You should have combo smoke/co alarms in hallways, stairways, or landings leading to sleeping rooms/areas. The sleeping rooms themselves should have smoke alarms.
We use install BRK/First Alert units. Same detectors, the BRK are in cardboard boxes, and typically multipacked for contractors at a slightly lower cost, and the First Alert are in individual consumer blister packs.
First Alert has the "One Link" radio sytem, and voice alerts that you can program to tell you which location is in alarm status.
Smoke/CO Alarms
Thank You for your response and info.