How Often To Change Fire Alarm. According to the Australian standard 3786 an ideal smoke detector hard-wired with a good lithium battery should last 10 years. The 2007 NFPA72 shows in Table 1044 Item 6 d 1 that the sealed lead-acid batteries used for battery backup in fire alarm systems need to be replaced within 5 years of manufacture.
Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years. For more on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms check our buying guide. Or set a calendar reminder for when to change your smoke alarm batteries.
Replacement date not to exceed 12 months.
New batteries will ensure your alarms are working properly 365 days a year. One way to tell is to look at the date on the tag located on the smoke detectors backside. The recommended procedure is to check your smoke alarm batteries at least every month or every quarter of a year one to three months each year. B Primary dry cell X Semiannually Verify marking of the monthyear of manufacture.
