Smoke Detector Services

NFPA 72 offers guidelines for the installation and use of smoke detectors. In addition to installation requirements, NFPA 72 discusses smoke detector power sources, testing, maintenance, and special conditions. Guidelines provided include:

• Install smoke detectors in every sleeping area, hallways outside sleeping areas, on every level of the home, in common areas, such as open living rooms, and at the bottom of stairways leading up from the basement.
• Install smoke detectors on the ceiling at least four inches from walls or on walls four to 12 inches from the ceiling.
• Don't install smoke detectors near windows, doors, or ducts. Avoid installing near heat sources or in humid areas in your home, like bathrooms.
• Don’t install before you start a paint job. Never cover smoke detectors with paint or decorations.
• Test smoke detectors monthly using the test button.
• Regular maintenance must be performed, and batteries must be replaced at least once a year or when a low battery is detected.

Smoke detector requirements vary depending on municipal building codes and regulations; it’s best to check with your local fire department for more information. Your local Mr. Handyman service professional will help you navigate requirements in your area.

Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years — even if they work correctly. Over time, the smoke detector sensors can degrade, making them less effective. Contact a service professional to ensure the smoke detectors in your home are replaced properly.

Yes, smoke detectors need regular maintenance. Maintaining smoke detectors is critical to ensuring they operate correctly. Each month, you should test them by pressing the test button to see if the alarm sounds as it should. Every year, replace the batteries and clean the detector. Most importantly, have a service professional replace your smoke detectors with a new model every 10 years. We recommend turning to experts like Mr. Handyman to ensure the job is done right.

If your detectors are beeping, throwing false alarms, or are otherwise unreliable, it's time for smoke detector services. As a potentially life-saving device, smoke detectors must be serviced annually and at the first signs of potential issues. If you’ve encountered any of the following warning signs or situations, contact the team at Mr. Handyman:

• Frequent false alarms
• Insufficient detector coverage
• Low or dead batteries (beeping)
• New home purchases
• Outdated smoke detectors (10+ years old)
• Smoke detector recalls
• Unreliable power issues (AC)
• Unresponsive to smoke

A chirping smoke detector likely indicates that the battery is running low. Replace the battery to stop the chirping and restore regular operation. If your smoke detector is hardwired, this could indicate an issue with the power source and require electrical services. Don’t leave your safety up to chance, so call a service professional for a full inspection.

Yes. Address a beeping smoke detector as soon as possible. It indicates that the unit’s battery is low, and the power source could deplete if you don’t replace it. When fully depleted, a smoke detector cannot alert you to smoke or fire, creating a dangerous scenario for your home.

Smoke detectors can be installed on your wall or ceiling. If installing on a ceiling, ensure it’s placed at least 4 inches from the nearest wall, and for vaulted ceilings, within 3 feet of the highest point. When installing on a wall, place the smoke detector 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling.

You should not place smoke detectors in the following locations:

• In bathrooms or humid areas
• In corners or close to walls
• In kitchens or near stoves
• In unfinished spaces, such as attics
• Near air vents or ducts
• Near light fixtures
• Near windows and doors

You should install smoke detectors at least 10 feet away from bathroom doors. Humid air from showering or bathing can cause smoke detectors to signal false alarms or become damaged.

Ideally, every room in your home should have a smoke detector. Most fire codes emphasize installing detectors within all sleeping areas and in hallways outside sleeping areas. Contact your local Mr. Handyman for expert advice on installing your smoke detector system.

Turn to the service professionals at Mr. Handyman to keep your family safer and your home healthier. Our experts have 25+ years of experience providing home and apartment maintenance services, giving you reasons to trust our work:

• Familiarity with efficient smoke detector placement
• Over 25 years of providing maintenance and repair solutions
• Nearly 1 million customers trust Mr. Handyman
• Fast, convenient online scheduling on your time
• Installation details that adhere to local building and fire codes
• Services covered by the Neighborly Done Right Promise^®
• Knowing which smoke detectors are best for your home

When it's time to get started, contact the Mr. Handyman team with a single convenient call. Our service professionals are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation, and we make sure to clean up when we’re done, leaving you only with results — not a mess.