Great question and one thing that is very confusing. Codes also have changed and been updated since your system was installed. The result is that new devices may be mandated. This applies to system devices/detectors and also to the more basic “alarms” that you may purchase yourself at the store.

Those “alarms” may also have been installed in your home during construction or during a renovation by the builder/contractor or electrician. Did you know that all of those devices have a “Replace by” date on them? Newer devices are designed to be replaced by that date and by code now have a 10-year battery in them. That battery is NOT removable. The device needs to be replaced. Removal puts your home and your family at risk! DON’T DO IT!

Older devices have a removable battery in them that generally needed to be replaced every year. I’m sure you have heard or seen the reminders about changing the clocks for daylight savings and to also check your smoke alarms. You may also remember those annoying beeps that happen when you miss one or forget to replace the batteries. That annoyance was for you benefit! Simply replacing ALL the batteries would make the noise go away and keep you and your family protected. Taking down the device or shutting off a circuit breaker to make the beeping stop is NOT what you should do!

The good news is that system “detectors” are not designed with an annoying beep. Instead, annual inspections will help discover device issues/concerns. Additionally, most devices are “supervised”. That means that when they have a trouble of some kind, they notify the central station and alarm company of that issue so it can be addressed timely. Most detectors and all newer detectors similarly send a specific “End of Life” signal. Newer wireless system detectors/devices now also have 10-year batteries in them. IMPORTANT – Unlike “alarms”, system detectors are supervised and interact as part of a system and so a 10-year battery is not required like they are in alarms, which are not tied to a system “panel”.

In short, know what “alarms” you have in your home and realize that they have an End of Life. They may also have batteries that need addressing. Since those are local only devices and not monitored, it is up to you to make sure that you do your part. When you have a “system”, you have “detectors” and as long as you have monitoring, they communicate concerns to the central station and alarm company.

Regardless, annual inspections are a great idea, whether they are mandated or not.