Smoke Alarms

A smoke alarm is the most important safety feature of your home. Properly installed, working smoke alarms provide the early warning you need to safely escape a fire.

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Choosing an Alarm

• Be sure smoke alarms carry the label from a qualified independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Intertek.
• Smoke alarms can be battery powered or wired with a battery back-up.
• Smoke alarms have different sensor technologies:
  • Ionization Smoke Alarms: More effective against fast-flaming fires (fires that consume materials rapidly and spread quickly). Sources may be paper fires or kitchen fires.
  • Photoelectric Smoke Alarms: More effective against slow smoldering fires (fires that smolder for hours before bursting into flame). These are the best type of alarms to be installed near the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms.
  • Combo Units: Ionization/Photoelectric alarms are available and provide early warning of both types of fires.
  • **New in 2024** multi-criteria smoke alarm technology helps reduce cooking nuisance alarms. Consider using new multi-criteria alarms when it is time to replace existing photoelectric or ionization alarms.

Alarms for the Hearing Impaired

• These smoke alarms have a built-in strobe light.
• The alarm has both an audible and visible signal and can be mounted in ceilings and walls.
• Alarms with bed or pillow shakers are recommended in bedrooms.

Where to Install Smoke Alarms

• Install on every level of your home, including the basement and in every sleeping area. Ensure all family members can hear it.
• Mount alarms high on a wall or on top of the ceiling. Position wall-mounted alarms with the top of the alarm 4-12 inches (10-30 centimeters) from the ceiling.
• Position ceiling-mounted alarms at least 4 inches (10 centimeters) away from the nearest wall.
• Don’t install smoke alarms near a window, door, or forced-air register where drafts could interfere with operation. The moving air can blow smoke away from the alarm’s sensor.
• To avoid false alarms, keep smoke alarms at least 10 feet from stoves and steamy showers.

How to Install Smoke Alarms

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on using a drill and screwdriver.
• Plug-in alarms must have restraining devices so they cannot be unplugged by mistake.
• A qualified electrician must install hard-wired alarms. Never connect a smoke alarm to a circuit that can be turned off from a wall switch.

Maintenance Tips

• Test smoke alarms once a month by pushing the “test button.”
• Batteries that are non-replaceable or alkaline should be changed once a year, when you change your clocks for daylight savings.
• Clean smoke alarms using a vacuum cleaner without removing the alarm’s cover.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

Alarm and Battery Disposal

• Alkaline batteries can be disposed of in the trash.
• Non-alkaline batteries can be placed in recycling bins located outside of specific fire stations.
• Alarm and detector sensors contain hazardous elements and should be disposed of at the Household Hazardous Materials Facility.

Renter/Owner Responsibilities

• If you rent an apartment or home in Arlington, the owner or management company is responsible for installing and repairing smoke alarms.
• Tenants are responsible for maintaining and replacing batteries in their smoke alarms.
• Fire Prevention Code on Smoke Alarms 

Still have questions?

Call 703-228-0267 or send email for more smoke alarm information.

Click to Request a Free Smoke Alarm