Why does the Fire Protection Association (FPA) recommend that home smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years?
As electronic devices, smoke alarms are subject to random failures. In 10 years there is roughly a 30% probability of failure before replacement. After 15 years, the chances are better than 50/50 that your alarm has failed. That is too big a risk to take. Replacing alarms after 10 years protects against the accumulated chance of failure, but monthly testing is still your first, best means of making sure your alarm will work.
Related Questions
- Why does the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that home smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years?
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