How to Test Smoke Alarm Interconnectivity

Interconnected smoke detectors sound all the alarms in your house.

Smoke detectors can be installed individually or interconnected. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends you install interconnected smoke detectors. In a fire, you have about three minutes to escape your home. If the smoke detectors are interconnected, you'll hear an alarm sooner, giving you more time to escape. Testing your smoke detectors once a week for interconnectivity may save your life, if there's ever a fire.

Instructions

1. Find the smoke detectors' location in every room of your house.

2. Press and hold the test button on each smoke detector until you hear the alarm. Listen for the other smoke detectors to sound. The smoke detectors should all beep at the same time when interconnected.

3. Press and hold each smoke detector's test button to determine if it's interconnected with the other smoke detectors. Check the light to see if it's blinking--it will flash at least once a minute. If the light doesn't blink or the alarm doesn't sound, change the battery. If that doesn't fix the issue, change the smoke detector immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• To save money, install wireless interconnected smoke detectors. A unique radio frequency is used for communication among units. There must be a standard frequency, so any one interconnected alarm brand can communicate with all others.

References

• First Alert: User's Manual
• Idoneos.com: Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide