System Sensor - Technical Field Bulletin Life Expectancy of System Smoke Detectors - Dated 05/2012

T
ECHNICAL
F
IELD
B
ULLETIN

Issued: 6/89 Revised: 5/12




3825 Ohio Avenue


St. Charles, Illinois 60174


Phone: 630
-
377
-
6580


Fax: 630
-
377
-
6495


http://
www.sys
temsensor.com

T
O:



ALL USERS OF SYSTEM SENSOR SMOKE DETECTORS

FROM:


TECHNICAL SERVICES

SUBJECT:


LIFE EXPECT
A
NCY
OF
SYSTEM
SMOKE DETECTORS





S
ystem s
moke detectors contain electronic parts. Although
system
smoke detectors are
manufactured and tested to provide a hig
h degree of reliability, individual components
are susceptible to unforeseen failure
.


System

smoke detectors
are required by

NFPA
72
®

-

2010 Edition
:
National Fire
Alarm
and Signaling Code

to
undergo

regular inspection, testing

and

maintenance

as
describ
ed in Chapter 14
.

This includes visual, functional and sensitivity testing.



While s
ection
14.4.8.1

of the standard states that

“
smoke
alarms

installed in one and
two family dwellings
...
shall not remain in service longer than 10 ye
ars from the date of
manuf
acture,
”

this should not be interpreted to apply to system smoke
detectors
.


Smoke detectors and smoke alarms are different devices.

Whereas smoke ala
rms are
listed to UL 217 and operate as
standalone devices, smoke detectors are listed to UL

268 and only
operate in conju
n
ction with a Fire Alarm Control Panel
. As

such
, they

are
required to meet different replacement guidelines.


System connected smoke detectors may be successfully deployed
for many years, and
no scheduled end of life replacement is prescri
bed.


Detectors may remain in operation

provided they
continue to
pass the regular test
ing

AND meet current standards and the
application requirements for which they are installe
d.


If you have any questions regarding System Sensor products or their applic
ation
,

please call Technical Services at (800) SENSOR2 (736
-
7672 ext. 2.)