Leo Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Had an interesting day here today. I was talking to my wife on the phone and heard a BANG! like a firecracker going off in the house. This was followed by several more bangs. Then the smoke detectors in the whole house went nuts! It scared my old dog Arthur (who is about 14 yrs old) so bad he crawled into a corner and peed. Got him outside and cleaned up. Right now he won't come back in the house he's so scared. I figured out which detector had a problem and couldn't get the battery out. I disconnected it and took it outside. It went bang a couple more times after being disconnected! I decided to leave it outside for a while. I was trying to figure out what caused the problem and discovered that most Smoke detectors have a radioactive element in them that makes them work. I don't think that's a really big deal except for one thing. That means they have a limited useful life. In the case of my detectors it's 10 years. Mine are dated Aug 1999. So it looks like I'm gonna have to replace ALL of them. I just had one that died a little early. Apparently 80% of the smoke detectors out there have limited lifespans. It's more than just batteries. Take one down and look at the back of it. It will tell you if it has a limited life. Because the element that's in them decays this isn't a warranty issue or maintenance issue. When the detector reaches that age it's done. If you get nothing else out of this post, get this. CHECK THE MANUFACTURING DATE ON YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS! Some folks are sensitive to the radiation from these things and some folks aren't. If you suspect you are then there are photoelectric models available. They are much more expensive but alternatives do exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Thanks for the heads up Leo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Good info! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Just replaced a few here back earlier this year, but did not know that Leo. Thanks for the warning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 a 14 year old dog that pees with a bang simply hasn't been on been on enough hunts. lol. good advice, leo. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladybird Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerforged Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Thanks Leo, I just checked all of mine and I have to replace them as well. I wouldn't have thought to check if I hadn't seen this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie234 Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 thanks for the heads up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 that rite there may keep me from peeing on myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 I knew this already since spending 16 years in the fire service. But never actually heard about one exploding off like a fire cracker! Yep, its time to replace. Also, use a piece scotch tape on one of your detectors, preferably in the one in the kitchen. Write on it the date when you changed the batteries. Place this on the outside. This way you will see when its time to replace them. Do all the detectors at the same time too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Found out a little more today. Guess which model I have? Defective Smoke Alarms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 "And she proceeded to tell me you can't use Duracell batteries in a BRK4120B smoke detector because they were known to expand and explode." "I mean there's probably hundreds or thousands of people who have this battery in this smoke detector right now." BRK claims the issue does not constitute a defect. Give me a break!!! :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 ...This thread very well could end up saving several homes, and lives.... -Thankyou, Leo!- we are checking all of ours today.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007hunter Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Just changed the battery in one a few minutes ago. All our detectors are hard wired in and have a battery as back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Just changed the battery in one a few minutes ago. All our detectors are hard wired in and have a battery as back up. So are mine. That's not all you need to worry about. Making sure they have power is good but not enough. Smoke detectors have a life span. This is independent of you believing they are working or not. Make sure you check the manufacturing date. I've been shopping for new units and have found out some are only guaranteed for 5 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted November 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 I just found this one that was invented at the University of Alabama. No batteries, no radioactive elements, completely biodegradable and good with butter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Realtree Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Love that! What school over there developed that? Do they offer engineering? S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I have double smoke detectors in the kitchen and down in the hallway ( electric and battery operated ) in each place. The electric one in the kitchen goes off from the heat of the oven or toaster, it's 18 years old and still works fine. I'll check the backs of the battery ones now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.