Smoke Detector Installation
July 25, 2005 8:07 AM Subscribe
Installing a smoke detector - do we need an electrician?
Our smoke detector was unfortunately a bit ripped apart, and a new one needs to go in. We're in an apartment building, and the detector was built into the ceiling. There is now a black and a red wire hanging down from a white wire that originates somewhere deep in the ceiling; if I could explain it better than that, I probably wouldn't need an electrician.
Has anyone here ever repaired something like this at home? We are also unsure exactly which fuse to turn off as it seems to be on its own circuit, but could just turn off everything for a bit. Also, we are (clearly) total ignoramuses when it comes to these sorts of home repairs.
I am willing to go for an electrician, only I've already called a bunch and can't get one yet. So I can keep calling, but I thought maybe AskMe would have some good advice first. If I do go for an electrician, how much should something like this cost? Thanks in advance.
Our smoke detector was unfortunately a bit ripped apart, and a new one needs to go in. We're in an apartment building, and the detector was built into the ceiling. There is now a black and a red wire hanging down from a white wire that originates somewhere deep in the ceiling; if I could explain it better than that, I probably wouldn't need an electrician.
Has anyone here ever repaired something like this at home? We are also unsure exactly which fuse to turn off as it seems to be on its own circuit, but could just turn off everything for a bit. Also, we are (clearly) total ignoramuses when it comes to these sorts of home repairs.
I am willing to go for an electrician, only I've already called a bunch and can't get one yet. So I can keep calling, but I thought maybe AskMe would have some good advice first. If I do go for an electrician, how much should something like this cost? Thanks in advance.
Wired-in smoke dectectors have one major problem. What happens if you have an electrical fire in the line powering the smoke dectector? You might want to make sure the wires are properly capped off and install a normal battery operated one over the existing hole.
If you live in an apartment, your management should do this work for you.
posted by onhazier at 8:30 AM on July 25, 2005
If you live in an apartment, your management should do this work for you.
posted by onhazier at 8:30 AM on July 25, 2005
What cosmicbandito and onhazier said: If you're renting, your landlord has a legal obligation to keep your smoke detectors in working order. Otherwise, I would just cap the wires and install a battery-operated detector.
Since you say this is an apartment, I suspect these wires may be connected to a sprinkler system. Do you have sprinkler heads in your ceiling? If so, you'll probably want to keep them connected.
posted by ijoshua at 8:43 AM on July 25, 2005
Since you say this is an apartment, I suspect these wires may be connected to a sprinkler system. Do you have sprinkler heads in your ceiling? If so, you'll probably want to keep them connected.
posted by ijoshua at 8:43 AM on July 25, 2005
This may be more information than you really want.
As a stopgap, you could buy a cheap battery-operated one to use until the other mess gets straightened out. You might also look into your local housing ordinances to see about the legal requirements for working smoke detectors in rental property, which might give you a little more ammunition against the agent and owners.
posted by JanetLand at 8:46 AM on July 25, 2005
As a stopgap, you could buy a cheap battery-operated one to use until the other mess gets straightened out. You might also look into your local housing ordinances to see about the legal requirements for working smoke detectors in rental property, which might give you a little more ammunition against the agent and owners.
posted by JanetLand at 8:46 AM on July 25, 2005
Many wired detectors have battery backups nowadays, negating the electrical-fire-type-problem.
Nonetheless, if the condo owner won't play ball, in my humble opinion, you shouldn't reward him/her/them for being unresponsive by dropping all of that cash on an electrician. Put wire nuts on all the leads, tuck them into the ceiling, and put a $14.99 battery-powered detector over the hole.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:49 AM on July 25, 2005
Nonetheless, if the condo owner won't play ball, in my humble opinion, you shouldn't reward him/her/them for being unresponsive by dropping all of that cash on an electrician. Put wire nuts on all the leads, tuck them into the ceiling, and put a $14.99 battery-powered detector over the hole.
posted by Kwantsar at 8:49 AM on July 25, 2005
I don't know how large building systems work! It sounds like the smoke detector may not be using power originating in your breaker panel at all. If that were the case you would have to have at least the cooperation of the building management, even though it might be the unit owners responsibility to pay.
If I'm right about the above, it is because the detector is tied in to other building systems. For example, it might be tied into a panel that lets the fire department know what zone of the building an alarm is originating from.
You probably should start writting formal letters. Send them in the mail with as many details as you can muster, always mail yourself a copy (no need to open it, you know what it says) as a credibility check.
At some point you will have to consider having the work done and taking the bill amount out of your rent. It depends on regulations in your area of course. You will want to do some serious research before taking this action, but you probably don't need a lawyer to do it, despite what the lawyers will tell you.
Of course if it comes to that, you are risking animosity. It is more likely that the rental agent is just very lazy... I am in a similar situation right now, but I am not in a position where I feel like taking the risk (cheap rent, too much stuff to move). If you are renting a condo, you probably have a lot of choice re-moving, so...
posted by Chuckles at 9:13 AM on July 25, 2005
If I'm right about the above, it is because the detector is tied in to other building systems. For example, it might be tied into a panel that lets the fire department know what zone of the building an alarm is originating from.
You probably should start writting formal letters. Send them in the mail with as many details as you can muster, always mail yourself a copy (no need to open it, you know what it says) as a credibility check.
At some point you will have to consider having the work done and taking the bill amount out of your rent. It depends on regulations in your area of course. You will want to do some serious research before taking this action, but you probably don't need a lawyer to do it, despite what the lawyers will tell you.
Of course if it comes to that, you are risking animosity. It is more likely that the rental agent is just very lazy... I am in a similar situation right now, but I am not in a position where I feel like taking the risk (cheap rent, too much stuff to move). If you are renting a condo, you probably have a lot of choice re-moving, so...
posted by Chuckles at 9:13 AM on July 25, 2005
I wouldn't say a battery operated detector will solve the problem... It is certainly better than nothing, but if the detectors are tied to building systems a battery operated unit is not really a replacement.
Maybe write a formal letter of notification about the problem, suggesting that there might be liability issues. I'm not certain, but that is probably all you are responsible for anyway. Then put the battery unit in for your own safety.
Don't tell them you are going to put a battery powered unit though, they might decide that your action is good enough. It is probably good enough for you, but it is not good enough for them!
posted by Chuckles at 9:19 AM on July 25, 2005
Maybe write a formal letter of notification about the problem, suggesting that there might be liability issues. I'm not certain, but that is probably all you are responsible for anyway. Then put the battery unit in for your own safety.
Don't tell them you are going to put a battery powered unit though, they might decide that your action is good enough. It is probably good enough for you, but it is not good enough for them!
posted by Chuckles at 9:19 AM on July 25, 2005
The other reason for detectors connected to the electrical system is that they signal each other. In my home when one goes off, even in the basement, the other 5 go off as well. A nice feature from a safety standpoint, though I discovered at 3am last week that it's less thrilling when the battery backup is dying in one of them...
They usually have to be the same brand for the signaling to work, however.
posted by phearlez at 10:42 AM on July 25, 2005
They usually have to be the same brand for the signaling to work, however.
posted by phearlez at 10:42 AM on July 25, 2005
New construction in Ontario is supposed to have ganged detectors, so if your condo is less than five years old or so, I'd expect that's what you have If you don't have a third bare wire end then you likely do not have a multiply system.
House-wired detectors are very simple, usually just red and black for power like a light circuit. You need to turn the breaker off to connect, but that's it.
If you don't want to mess about, get an electrician or a battery one and bill your owner. Nothing gets a landlord's attention like a bill for services.
posted by bonehead at 11:14 AM on July 25, 2005
House-wired detectors are very simple, usually just red and black for power like a light circuit. You need to turn the breaker off to connect, but that's it.
If you don't want to mess about, get an electrician or a battery one and bill your owner. Nothing gets a landlord's attention like a bill for services.
posted by bonehead at 11:14 AM on July 25, 2005
If I was in your position, I'd call the local fire marshall / building code inspector and tell them what's going on. They'll know exactly who to threaten -- err... "contact" -- to get the situation resolved. Even threatening to do this might be enough to sort out the in-fighting you're dealing with.
And I think nearly all hardwired smoke detectors have a battery backup of some sort.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:45 AM on July 25, 2005
And I think nearly all hardwired smoke detectors have a battery backup of some sort.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:45 AM on July 25, 2005
Get a battery powered one as a stop over, some fire departments will give them out free. It will still be usful after the wired in one gets fixed (in another room or as a backup).
posted by 445supermag at 2:46 PM on July 25, 2005
posted by 445supermag at 2:46 PM on July 25, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cosmicbandito at 8:28 AM on July 25, 2005