How to Properly Install a Smoke Detector

How to Properly Install a Smoke Detector Typically, smoke detectors should always be installed on every level of your home. This includes placing one inside each bedroom and even in the basement. Prior to taking on this type of task, however, it’s important to know exactly how to install a smoke detector, especially if you will be doing this for the first time. The fire alarm installation information provided can also apply to different commercial establishments such as buildings, offices, and warehouses.

Here are the tips that you should make note of when it comes to properly installing a smoke detector in your home. *First and foremost, always ensure that the smoke detectors themselves are installed in all of the proper locations of your home. This means that you should never install them over locations such as clothes dryers, ovens, stoves, or areas that generate excessive amounts of heat or steam. In terms of selecting the right room, you are able to purchase alarms that are designed for specific areas, with many of them being battery operated. When it comes to placement, keep in mind that since smoke rises, the best location for the alarms is on the ceiling, preferably in the center. *In terms of installation, many alarms come with a mounting base that is able to separate from the actual alarm. This comes with key-shaped screw holes, which will enable you to fasten the base itself to the ceiling.

You will need to choose a drill bit that is just smaller than the size of the wall anchors provided in order to ensure a proper fit. From there, use the mounting base in order to mark all of the screw holes on the ceiling, then drill the holes. Next, use a hammer to tap the plastic screw anchors into the holes that have been drilled, and from there, drive the screws partway into the ceiling before then lining up the mounting base with the screws. Finally, place and twist the detector into the position underneath the screws before tightening it with a screwdriver and mounting it onto the base. *In order to properly prepare the wiring for a detector that will be placed in a new location, a remodeling box will need to be installed. This is a type of electrical box that is able to be installed in drywall. First, you will need to determine where the detector will be installed, which, as previously mentioned, should generally be the ceiling. From there, a

stud finder should be used in order to determine the location of wall studs around the location of every alarm. A marking tool should then be used to trace the outline of the box, and you should also use a level in order to ensure that the outline is completely straight. Using a drill, drill a one-half inch starter hole at the corner of the outline, then cut along the outline itself using a drywall saw. From there, test-fit the remodeling box itself. While it should fit as snugly as possible, it shouldn’t fit so tightly that it needs to be forced. *Cables will then need to be run to all boxes before then being secured and set to the boxes themselves. To prepare the wires, wire strippers should be used to strip 3/4-inch of insulation from the ends of all of the wires before then connecting them to a 120-volt wire harness. When it comes to connecting the wire harness, wire nuts should be used to connect the stripped NM cable wires to the harness wires of the same color. *The next step involves installing the mounting plates, the first step of which involves feeding the wire harness through the alarm’s mounting plate. The plate itself should be placed on the remodel box aligned with the screw holes, and you will also need to ensure that the wire connected runs through the plate. Additionally, use all of the included screws in order to properly connect the plate to the remodeling box. *You will then need to connect the detector itself and install a backup battery. Ensure that you place the correct type of battery into the detector, which will generally be a 9-volt battery. *Attach the detector itself to the mounting plate, twisting it until it mounts into place. Additionally, check the connection in order to ensure that all sides are properly secured.

Reach out to Dyezz Surveillance and Alarm for a free consultation today! See more about how we can help with fire alarm installation, monitoring, and inspections!