Keep the smoke detector in working order

According to the law, all dwellings must have at least one smoke detector for each 60 square metres or part thereof on each floor of the dwelling. In terms of safety, it is best to have smoke detectors in each bedroom and on the exit routes of the dwelling.

In our newer and renovated dwellings, the smoke detector is connected to the electricity supply. In older dwellings smoke detector are battery-powered.

The resident is responsible for ensuring that the smoke detector is functional. It should be vacuumed regularly of dust. You can test that it is working by pressing the test button on the smoke detector.

“You should test that your smoke detector is working once a month and whenever you have been away from home for a while,” says Juha Sopanen, Property Manager.

The resident is responsible for changing the batteries. The maintenance company takes care of changing batteries for smoke detectors that are connected to the electricity supply, but it is the resident’s responsibility to notify the maintenance company of the need to change a battery.

“Batteries should be changed at least once a year and immediately if the smoke detector starts beeping intermittently”, says Sopanen.

Follow these steps to take care of your home’s smoke alarms:

1. Check that your smoke alarm is working: press the test button on the alarm regularly, such as on the first day of every month.

2. Replace the battery’s alarm once a year, for example on the Smoke Alarm Day on 1 December.

3. Remember to also replace the smoke alarm every 5 to 10 years. A smoke alarm has a limited useful life, just like all electrical appliances. An old smoke alarm may not necessarily detect smoke, even if the alarm sound is working.
 

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