Alarms & Smoke Detectors
Each alarm is tested at move in as noted on your inventory. It is the tenants responsibility to ensure that battery operated smoke alarms and detectors are working throughout your tenancy. This includes replacing batteries where appropriate. You can find loads of examples how to replace your specific smoke alarm battery but here is a general guide that you can use.
Steps to Replace a Smoke Alarm Battery
1. Remove the smoke alarm from its bracket
Battery-powered smoke alarms are usually secured to the ceiling using a basic click-in-to-place bracket or a twist in place bracket. Climb up the ladder and remove the alarm from the bracket. Every alarm model has a different way of doing this, but normally you either turn the alarm or slide it out to release it.
2. Replace the old battery with a new one
It's safer to come down the ladder before doing this step. Disconnect the old battery and replace it with a new one. Once the new one is in place, climb back up the ladder and fix the alarm back into its bracket. While you're up there, press the alarm's test button to make sure it's working.
It should make a loud alarm for 3 or so rings and then stop. Ensure that the light is showing and you are done.
Types of Smoke Alarms and How Often to Replace a Smoke Alarm Battery.
Have you ever wondered how often should smoke alarm batteries be changed?
You have installed smoke alarms in your home for your safety in the event of a fire, right?
Therefore, I’m sure you will agree that it’s essential to maintain them to make certain they always work the way they should to protect yourself and your family if ever there is a fire in your home.
After all, they are an investment in a way, and proper maintenance of these devices could certainly prove to be lifesaving.
Smoke alarms save lives but not if the battery is flat, plus a working smoke alarm will give you an early warning, and of course, time to escape a fire.
Mains powered smoke alarm with 9-volt backup battery
These are the alarms where you’ll often see a permanently lit green light and when you detach the body of the alarm from its base, it will contain a removable 9-volt battery. This is the second most common alarm seen in homes across the UK. These alarms will require a back up battery to be replaced once per year.
9-volt battery powered (but not mains-powered) smoke alarm
These alarms often won’t have a green light, which usually indicates the smoke alarm is mains powered. When you remove the body of the alarm from its base, it will contain a removable 9-volt battery. These are the most common smoke alarms seen in homes across the UK. These alarms require the battery to be replaced once per year.
Mains powered smoke alarm with non-removable 10-year-life lithium backup battery
These are the alarms where you’ll often see a permanently lit green light and when you detach the body of the alarm from its base, you won’t actually see a 9-volt battery. These alarms contain a sealed, non-removable 10-year-life lithium battery and as such won’t require any battery replacement for the life of the alarm, which is 10 years.
10-year-life lithium battery powered (but not mains-powered) smoke alarm
Again, these alarms often won’t have a green light (which usually indicates the smoke alarm is mains powered) and when you remove the body of the alarm from its base, unlike the alarm above, you won’t actually see a 9-volt battery. These alarms contain a sealed, non-removable 10-year-life lithium battery and as such won’t require any battery replacement for the life of the alarm, which is 10 years.
If Replacing the Smoke Alarm Battery Doesn't Fix it
If replacing the battery doesn't fix the problem then please contact us 02071508844 and we will be able to send out a contractor however if it is found that it falls under your responsibility as a tenant then you will be charged for the work.
Reminder That You May Be Charged - Where our contractor has arranged a time with you to attend and you postpone, cancel, don't show up or where it is your fault for the appointment not proceeding you will be responsible for paying the call out charge for the contractor and potentially any restocking fee for parts. Where the fault, issue or damage, is put down to your or other tenants, permitted occupiers, or guests actions, you will be responsible for paying for the repair. These terms are already part of your Tenancy Agreement.
Many thanks to Kidde Brand of Smoke Detector for the video which we use in various properties we manage.