Smoke alarm replacement
 

I would like to replace all my smoke alarms. Any suggestions on who to contact for a fair deal.

Lowes

I replaced my own. Very simple if you are comfortable on a ladder. I am not sure, but maybe if you purchase the replacements the fire department might come out and do it for free.

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We bought ours at Ace Hardware and the Fire Department replaced them at no charge.

Ace Hardware, it's an easy DIY. Don't forget, if you have gas, one of them has to be a C O detector.

The code requires a carbon monoxide detector even if you don't have gas appliances, assuming that you have an attached garage.

Go to Home Depot and buy the contractor package. 5 alarms in a box. Save some $$. Fire dept. changed them out for us. Wonderful people.

Did this myself, as noted above there is a contractor package, Lowes was 6 of the smoke detectors for the price of 4 individual units. I bought the standard 9 volt battery type, and not the 10 year lithium battery type for almost twice the price. Also as noted above you may have 1 or 2 carbon monoxide detector, to remain legal these must be replaced with the same type units, I bought these individually. All of these plug into the existing house wiring.
If you are nervous about the wiring, there will be a circuit breaker that you can turn off, a small flat blade screw driver will release the plug from the smoke detector, take it to Lowe's or Home depot, or ACE and get the same model, then reverse the process.
As a side note, one of mine was giving a code that indicated the detector had failed (not a low battery), so that was why I replaced all as I did not want to be bothered over the next year or so replacing the rest of them.

I really don't have anything against the fire department, but why are they spending taxpayer money to install smoke detectors? That's not their job. If you can't do it yourself or find a friend to help you, hire an electrician or a handyman. They need the work more than the fire department. My opinion and rant for the day.

The fire department doesn't want people falling off ladders while they are trying to make their homes safe (replacing smoke detectors).

You can can also call the fire department if your loved one falls and you can't get her up.

It's called public service for a reason.


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As long as the service is available to everyone then the taxpayers are benefitting from their tax dollars. It's better than having them just sit at the station waiting for something to do.

I just twisted off, unplugged five of them from off the walls.. Three were bibing at the same time(hard to tell which ones)..This means low back up batteries ...Just replace the batteries, right?

Maybe they can come over and cut my grass. The point is that I am paying them to put out fires, not to install smoke detectors. The "free" service is not really free.

:ohdear: Where do you stand on getting cats out of trees? Inquiring minds want to know. :icon_wink:

Really not that hard if you replace with the same kind. Simply turn smoke detector to left ( If I remember correctly) slip it out of the mounting bracket, unplug. Then, either use the old mounting bracket or loosen the two mount screws, turn the bracket, remove it. Install the new bracket, snug the two screws, pull the plastic tab separating the back up bateries, plug the fire detector harness in, align slots, turn to right to secure the fire detector, push the test button and you’re done. Takes about 5 mins. I used magic mark and marked it so in 6 months I know what direction to turn it and how far to turn for separation. As for the fire department doing it for free, they do it when they are wait mode, and the whole station don’t come out and do it. It’s public service. It also depends on which county you live in to what’s required by the code and whether you’re house is rental or not.

Because smoke detectors and fires have no common denominator...

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Umm, okay....

I'm OK with it because it requires special equipment and skill.

got mind from amazon last month ,like for like 1/2 of the price from lowes for the same......

Wow. Just wow.

Thank you for all the responses. I will take advise and show around. The fire department is close by if I am not successful!

The alarms used in homes south of 466A have a 7 year manufacturers warranty. If you are are hearing 3 even beeps the unit has failed, it is not battery problem.

Remove the unit, (twists off), call the number on the back. They will ask for info, date code and description of problem.

If it still covered by their warranty you will receive a new one in 7-10 days at no charge.

I have had three fail so far, all have been replaced as described above, easy-peasy.

:thumbup:
Don

And now the "Official Version" from the District Web Site:

Smoke Detector Program
The Villages Fire and Public Safety Department offers smoke detector assistance to residents of The Villages as part of the Fall Prevention Program.
• This program is designed for residents of The Villages who are disabled or are unable to climb a ladder
• Smoke detector batteries should be changed once per year
• Help with smoke detector battery changes and/or installations can be arranged by calling 352-205-8280 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you call after hours or on the weekend, a recording will direct you to an alternate phone number
• Residents are required to purchase the batteries or new units
• There is no charge for this service
• The Villages Public Safety Department employees will arrive at your home in uniform, with a visible name badge
• As a reminder, this assistance is strictly for smoke detectors. The employees visiting your home will not be able to assist you with non-related smoke detector issues or concerns


:ohdear: Note there is nothing in there about COUNTY, CODE, or RENTALS.

This is a GREAT program for us Villagers..... and that is about all that needs to be said. When people don't know what they are talking about...... maybe they should STOP typing.

One other note..... I've never seen a cat skeleton in a tree!

C.W. Guy - Retired FireCapt./EMT

Thank You

While I'm personally a bit ambivalent about this service that everyone can apparently utilize...I have no problems whatsoever with this part.


• This program is designed for residents of The Villages who are disabled or are unable to climb a ladder.


I can't help but wonder though (and is at the root of my ambivalence), is how many that could easily do it themselves/afford to hire someone to do it for them, take advantage of this program...simply to save a couple of bucks? :ohdear:

The purpose of this service is to not having to respond to a medical emergency from some one falling off a ladder when us older folks have no business being there.
Seem like a good use of their "down" time!!

:coolsmiley: AMAZON today a six pack of replacement detectors $46.65 delivered with PRIME. Less than $8.00 each. Lowes $65.57 plus tax. If yours are 10 years old or close to that they need to be replaced.

Search with: BRK 9120B6CP :ho: