How To Install Smoke Detectors And Carbon Monoxide Detectors - CODES EXPLAINED!
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- In this video I show how to install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. I explain my local building codes I must follow for my inspection to pass. I show how to hard wire smoke detectors that are battery back up. The smoke alarms I am installing are the First Alert BRK model. Hope this video helps!
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Timestamps
Intro 00:00
Smoke detector codes 00:41
Installing first smoke detector 03:06
Installing middle smoke detector 07:51
Installing last smoke detector 10:19
Outro 10:32
Disclaimer: This video is all based on my personal opinion and is for entertainment purposes ONLY. I am not a financial advisor, CPA, attorney, tax advisor, electrician, plumber, housing contractor, designer, or any type of profession to give advice. I am just a consumer sharing my experiences and research. If you do need knowledge for those types of things, I will advise you to seek help for those professionals. - Навчання та стиль
Thank you for emphasizing how the first alarm uses 2 wire and not 3 wire in the direction facing the panel. That’s an important point many beginners are confused about and you made it plain and simple.
I wish the nec would standardize quick connectors for these, even the same brand 10 years later I have to rewire them all..
Very important detail: use of drywall screws in an electrical junction box (as done in this video) is against NEC code; you can't use sharp pointed screws because of risk to the wire insulation.
Finally I'm a professional electrician.thank you sir for sharing your knowledge with us.
Black is hot, white is neutral and the red wire is the sensor that sends a signal to all detectors.
You explain everything so well. Thank you for this video😊
Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the detailed video.
Fantastic! I’m glad I could help. Good luck with your project!
Fantastic video even as a reminder.
Of course codes are important. Our house before where we were was just how you explained. Where we are now, they are all battery because of age. I checked code and local fire department for the best recommendation for battery smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. It's always wonderful to check things out if you aren't sure.
Thanks Josh for This video. 👍🏻
I know smoke detectors are a simple subject but I hate trying you add those later after the drywall is up so I make sure they wire is ran to code ahead of time. I’m sure older houses are fine with battery only due you obvious reasons. CO is a new code they added here in the past couple years. I appreciate you watching and commenting David! Good luck with your projects!
@@TheExcellentLaborer most definitely older houses are difficult. Posting this video reminded me to contact the right group for any new battery units along with carbon monoxide detectors this week. We can also have a representative in our area from the fire department to make sure everything and everyone is safe.
Thanks man for this video! I appreciate you sharing this video! Have a blessed day!
You are welcome David! Thank you for watching. Good luck with your projects!
Hey Josh! Love the videos they have been a major help! Quick question, When wiring my smoke alarms can I just piut all the detectors on their own circuit if I have the space in my panel?
For NEC2020, and new construction does smoke /CM detectors have to be hardwired for rough-in? building a new house and would rather have wireless interconnected that is tied in with alarm system.
Awesome channel. Quick question. Would you be comfortable using a Wago instead of a wire nut?
Excellent explanation!!!thanks
I appreciate that!
I did 5 of these Smoke/CO2 detectors, only thing, I continued the 14/3 to the panel box. How do I wire in - what happens with red? Or, do I have to use 14/2 to the box? Love the videos! Great to see them and confirm I'm doing it right!! Thanks
When I moved into my house I replaced the 20 year old hardwired detectors (that had severally yellowed) with battery-only, not even realizing what I had done. Going to swap those out after seeing this.
Always make that good connection by twisting the wires together with lineman's. Some will only use the wire nut. I've seen problems with bad connections resulting in low voltage conditions. Tip: Stranded wire should always be cut back a little longer when connecting to a solid wire connection. Tip 2: Photoelectric smoke detectors are more sensitive as they use light wave to detect smoke; whereas Ionic has a radioactive chip in it to sense more heat - that is what would determine placement between a bedroom vs a kitchen to minimize false alarms. All smoke detectors need to be dated on install and then disposed of properly at their retirement. As always - Great Video!
Great advice C Kuiper! Tip 2 is a good point. They have expiration on them but most people never think about that including myself. Thanks for watching!
It says right on the box of wire nuts not to pretwist.
@johna6845 That's correct, when you are attaching a solid and stranded wire together.. I'm currently on a job where connections failed (flickering lights and all) in several rooms on several fixtures - the solid wires were not connected.
Great video man! Keep it up!!
Thanks Kenny!
Getting ready to build my own home and save a ton of money ha,, Have watched just about all of your videos.. thanks Great job👍
Fantastic, Rick! I have built five houses on my own, and I always figure out and learn something new with each one. I appreciate subscribers like you that enjoy the content. Good luck with your build!
Wire nut is a smart invention that makes the whole job neat, easy and safe!
Hi, thanks for the video. What size cable we are using here?
GREAT video!
Great video !
There are several code requirements for location and distances from objects...... however, I do not know where to find those in the NEX codebook. Can you please reference the articles and section where your information is located?
If it wasn't required by code in your area, would you install hard wired smoke detectors? I have to do some electrical work and I was considering installing some.
Great bro ☺️
Thank you!
Thanks so much.
You are welcome. I’m glad I could help!
One of the most important steps when using wire nuts is not shown in this video. That is- after you are done twisting it on, pull on each of the wires one at a time and see if any pop loose out of the nut.
When my smoke alarms were 10 years old I went around my house before removing the old ones and I pulled on each of the wires. About 1/3 to 1/2 of the units had one or more loose wires! So of course putting in the new alarms meant redoing ALL the wire nuts.
I tape the wire nuts.
Hi, does this breaker need to be lockable in the on position?
I've always wondered how they hardwired smoke detectors. Thumbs up and thanks a lot for the tutorial.
I’m glad you learned something Russell. Thank you for watching!
Thumbs up 👍 thanks 🙏
Thank you Hector!
Are these used to record convocation or keep up when doors are opening are closing
I got 6 in my house. Set up a battery system for whole house so I'm revewing the wattage draw on all my circuits, those 6 draw 19~20watts. Are there some models/brands that are super energy efficient over any others?
I’m doing a self-wire and need to do the smoke detectors wiring yet. Should I put the box 1/2” out, or should it sit inside the drywall like this box is?
IRC code 314.20 says the front edge of the box can not be more than 1/4 inch set back from the finished surface. When installing before drywall you place the box out 1/2 inch from the surface the drywall will be attached to, assuming you are installing 1/2 inch drywall, so it will be flush with the finish.
Do they have to be daisy chained or could they be wired off one home run like spokes of a wheel?
I recommend daisy chain. It is what I have done for years and works. Thanks for watching!
@@TheExcellentLaborer Thank you that’s the way I have done it too but while listening to you discussing it the thought popped into my head.
Make sure you get ionization of photoelectric smoke detectors for smoldering and fast burning fires
Thanks ❤
You're welcome 😊
Since I wear hearing aids the combo smoke/carbon monoxide detector in my main bedroom also has a 175cd strobe. This costs about $150.00 but that light intensity is supposed to be able to wake someone up when sleeping.
Thanks
Oh wow did not know that these were not grounded.
I am glad my "experiment" I did, did not end in flames. xD
I thought the red was the ground and hooked it up as so.
I was not sure about the red but now I do know. ;)
I said it was an experiment as I was perplexed at being able to buy carbon menoxide detectors that plug in with battery back up but no smoke alarms that plug in.
So I was like I have this 3 prong that came out of one of my pinball machines that I had replaced but nothing wrong with the cord it was just to short is all.
I used Wago electrical connectors to wire it up and wrapped electrical tape around the Wagos to to make sure the clips did not come up.
And plugged it in and it is working fine.
And I now know that the smoke alarm does not like it if there is no battery in it as I was so confused at why it was chirping at me.
I was like maybe put in the battery?
I did and sure enough the chirping stopped and now I have a plug anywhere smoke alarm.
And after seeing this video I think I am going to unhook the ground and red wires off.
Or at least take the ground out of the red Wago connector.
I did make a video of it as well and pretty much put in a joke title of like, Well did this experiment burn my house down or did it not kind of thing.
I am glad it did not explode or anything. xD
Can i use ago instead of those red stuff?
per the 2020 code can 14/3 wire use and does the breaker need to be a GFCI breaker?
GFCI is not required since they are not within 6ft of a sink or faucet, AFCI protection is required on new work though.
If using 2.5mm2 cable and 2 smoke and one Heat & CO alarm, what Amperage circuit breaker is necessary ?
You can use either 15amp or 20 amp circuits. But read the instructions on your smoke detector.
Good video….. I want to add a Kidie heat detector into my garage. The main house has all the detectors already connected. My problem is that my flat roof house has no access to the attic. How can I connect the red wire so that all detectors will work correctly? The main electric panel is in the garage also, so I can access the fire alarm loop in the main box.
My home has 5 smokes, 3 are combo , 2 are regular smoke only. If I replace the 3 combo units with First Alert, and go with Kidde on the 2 regular smoke only units, will all 5 be interconnected...even tho I'm mixing manufacturers?
Don't use Kidde. Wirecutter says that they are unreliable
What size wire is used to run smoke detectors? Great video btw!
In the near future those ionization type detectors will no longer be meeting the UL 217 standard because they are unsafe as they don’t detect smoldering fires well, and also because they false trigger for kitchen cooking too much.
A better choice is to use photoelectric type smoke alarms. These work well for all fire types.
I was going to change my smoke dectector, however I just have the red cable, not the white and black.. does it work with only the red wire or the builder forgot to install black and white wire???
No! You need all three, if you have more than one smoke detector.
You need an electrician to come out and look at what you have going on.
Its great that he is putting up smoke detectors, but somethings need to be noted. Smoke detectors should be placed 3 feet or more from the ends of a ceiling fan, 3 feet away from a central a/c or heat outlet, 3 feet or more from a bathroom door and 12 inches or more from any room or ceiling corner. Carbon/smoke combs. need to be placed outside of all bedrooms, within 10 feet of ALL bedroom doors. One carbon/smoke comb. can cover more than one bedroom, it they met the10 foot rule. If a room has a closet, just to be safe, assume it will be a bedroom, install the smoke detector inside and the carbon/smoke combo. outside. Some areas say that you don't need a carbon, unless you have gas in the house or an attached garage. Be safe, pretend you do.
In this video, as others noted, in the outlet box, which is actual a wall outlet box, use a 6/32 size machine screw, NOT a sheetrock screw, you picked up off the floor. If it is a round box, you must use a 8/32 machine screw. When putting the wires together for the wire nut, DO NOT TWIST THE SMALL, STRANDED WIRE, from the wire, of the smoke detector. Extend the small, stranded wire just a bit in front of the larger solid wire and twist the wire nut on, it will twist the small wire around the bigger wire fine, then do a small pull, to see if the smaller wire, is secure in the wire nut. The ground wires are connected together with a crim sleeve.
How many amps should these be if they are on their own breaker? 15?
in this instance, using 14-2 wire which is more than adequate, 15 amp
What if garage is detached and in back of house, do I still need any monoxide detectors in house?
Yes. Near ignition source or chimney.
Does it need to be on an electrical box?
Dose it have to be 20 Amp..?
Hey Josh. Great video again. Question: do you need a dedicated circuit for the smoke + CO detectors ?
They can be on the same circuit as a bedroom in my jurisdiction. Thanks Gilles for watching. I hope your building is coming along nicely!
@@TheExcellentLaborer Hi Josh, with all your advices, we’re pretty confident everything will go smoothly. Our cabin construction will start in a few weeks, as soon as there is no more snow. Cheers !
Quick question Josh. I have your Amazon location available to help support you. Do you have the battery smoke detectors available on your Amazon list. I didn't see it, so when I need to replace them or add one somewhere. Thank you Josh.
Man thanks a lot! I meant to add those links and forgot. I just updated my description with them. You are awesome David!
@@TheExcellentLaborer I will always support those who help so many others. 👍🏻
@@TheExcellentLaborer I saw the battery units near the bottom and the choices. This is great because I can share them when I contact my local fire department. This is fantastic and any of them purchased, you will be notified correct? Thank you Josh
@@TheExcellentLaborer hello Josh, just an update with my smoke detectors and carbon monoxide testers, the fire department is sending a guy out this Friday around 10:00 and they're going to walk through the house and tell me what I need. Once I get that list I will go ahead and get on your Amazon and give them placed on the order. Thanks again for all you do continue to be safe.
I'm my jurisdiction everything you said in this video is spot on except your only allowed to use the "10 year SEALED battery". The kind where the battery is built in and not removable
10 year sealed battery requirement is very common now for battery POWERED smoke alarms. But for battery BACKUP smoke alarms the 10 year sealed battery requirement is extremely rare.
Just installed a smoke detector in a bedroom it's hard wired and battery back-up BKR First Alert! I connected everything white to white, black to black, and interconnected to Interconnected, The only thing is the new smoke alarm will not hard wire connect with the older smoke alarms is it bc they are 18 years old and can't tell the difference? Or What! Curious installing one bc parents are cheap! Lord help me I'm trying to keep it together/calm! If anyone can give me some advice much appreciate it!
That ground not wire nutted would be a code violation, even though it’s not used, it still has to continue with proper connection.
Actually has a copper crimp on ground wires so their so no code violation here
@@MrLLdog ah ok, couldn’t see that, and that I believe is also a state or local jurisdiction thing, some inspectors want a green wire nut with the extension sticking through the hole in wire nut, some want a crimp, some don’t care as long as the joint is protected.
I personally like the old way, and your gonna laugh, twisted, soldered, and taped.. Can’t tell you how many remodels I’ve worked on in old houses that the joints were soldered and taped, never seen one with burned up connection because of loose joint or over worked/heated circuit.
12/3 wires ?
Yes because the bedroom was 12 wire but 14 wire should be fine!
Just to clarify use 14/3 for smoke detectors. How many can you have in a circuit with a 15 AMP braker.
Maybe I missed something, But I hope the CO detectors weren't also installed on the ceiling. It's a heavier gas, you'll be dead before it ever goes off. Especially if your sleeping
Trust me I totally agree. CO should be low but it’s code here even on ceiling.
CO is a lighter gas; not heavier.
I’m not judging, but if I were you, I would get the Kidde KN-COSM-IB, and the Kidde P12040
😎🛠️😎🛠️😎
Hey Ted 🔨
Just something to consider - You shouldn't pre-twist the wires when using a wire nut. Wire nut manufacturers actually advise not to do this.
There is a very important technique to use when joining stranded with solid wires using a wire nut. The stranded wire should be stripped to a longer bare length than the solid, and the extra length should extend beyond the tip of the solid wire when the wire nut is first applied.
This video is a great example of the wrong way to join stranded with solid as this critical step was omitted.
If you are not an electrician and are joining wires and want to do it right and safely, using a Wago 221 lever nut will work better than what you see in this video.
CO in a house with zero gas appliances or garage?
can i run a hardwired smoke alarm on just battery power? I know it's a code violation but will I have to replace the battery every month?
Never use drywall screws on any outlet box. Code specifically states that only 6-32 screws can be used for these junction boxes
I wasn’t aware that code states which screws must be used. What code are you referring to? NEC? What section? Thanks!
@@JudahEyes NEC 404.10B states, "Screws used for the purpose of attaching a snap switch to a box shall be of the type provided with a listed snap switch, or shall be machine screws having 32 threads per inch or part of listed assemblies or systems, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions."
I know smoke alarms are not switches, but they are usually mounted to 1 gang boxes like most switches are, so this code section should still apply. New smoke alarms should come with mounting screws that screw into the existing outlet box. If it doesn't come with such screws or they're missing, then any 6-32 screw can be used. Drywall screws are not 6-32.
Thanks for the info…very interesting! I saw someone using drywall screws to install kitchen cabinets to a wall recently, and it made me shake my head. Drywall screws are good for *drywall*, but they are too easy to shear with something that has some weight. Also, they are very easy to break as they are being screwed in. Thanks again!
@@aurvaroy6670 These type of smoke alarms don’t come with screws. And, often the boxes might be mounted a bit too deep where traditional 1” screws might not reach. You’re most likely right, but using gold diggers (the gold wood screws) works when your company is too cheap to get 6/32 and 8/32.
@@icevariable9600 That's explains why most of my old smoke alarms had those long wood screws of that color. Either way, if I box is too deep for any wall, you can easily get longer 6-32 screws or some spacers. Everyday Home Repairs, a channel I criticize a lot, has a great video on this, although it was for a receptacle (he calls outlet) that has sunken in.
Code requires that wires be joined with a listed device. Those ground wires looked like they were just twisted together and no listed device was used to apply pressure to the joint. Without a listed device used to join it seems to be a code violation.
As he said in the video the ground wires are not used with smoke detectors so it doesn't matter what you do with them.
@@dodge96sport interconnected smoke alarms can be interconnected with other devices such as CO alarms, heat detectors, strobe lights for hearing impaired people, relays, and other signaling equipment. Just because the one particular alarm model he was installing didn’t use the ground doesn’t mean that other models of devices in the future will never use a ground. Please keep in mind that smoke alarms are intended to be replaced every 10 years but it’s not unusual for a house to not be rewired after 20, 30, or even 50 years.
How confident are you that a strobe light which uses high voltage will never use a grounded frame?
@@neilbrookins8428 you are correct however in this specific installation grounds are unused, so if the system was ever retrofitted with the equipment you speak of then it would be the responsibility of the next installer to make sure the wiring they need is intact, up to code, and functioning properly.
@@neilbrookins8428 If the casing on the device is plastic, there will be no ground coming from the device to connect to grounding conductor.
Smoke detectors are plastic, so there is no ground wire to connect. If this were an LED light or a fan or whatever, that had a metal casing, then there would be a ground wire to connect.
So, with plastic devices that do not have a ground, the grounding wire that comes in with the Romex are all spliced and tucked in the back if the box. You can add a wirenut or copper crimp (which are both listed) if you want, but the twisting with linemans should do the trick.
So, smoke detectors are supposed to be installed high. CO detectors supposed to be low. Your dead in a basement bedroom with egress. Somebody explain what I don't know. I live in Minnesota. If a co goes off in a basement, it's to late.
CO is lighter than air, so you don’t want it at low heights.
As the bare ground wire isn't used, can it replace the red wire?
No! It’s a ground wire, used for ground faults that trip the breaker. The red is used for communication between the smoke alarms.
If you use 14/3 wire, I imagine you could use the ground from the travelling wire to be connected with the red wire from the detector, so all detectors are interconnected but you have to make sure the traveling ground wires are not connected with the ground wire from the power source.
I was wondering if you can add some receptacles from a fire alarm ?
I create on credit card computer, a monitoring system for smoke and other detector devices. Very easy and safer as you can see condition of each device, test it , etc. I have two larger and louder alarms for each type detector so I can hear outside if I’m in the yard.
I programmed it to call 911 (if) I do not reset it within 4 minutes. ( I do not pay a company to monitor that or my home security.
I have “”await/vacation mode that triggers faster the police/fire automatically.
And it turns various lights on /off in home to look like someone is home while gone. Lol
Anyone can do this easily. It would be HUGE FOR YOU TO INCLUDE THIS IN YOUR HOME CONSTRICTION/REMODEL VIDEOS!
Let’s. Video chat or talk on the phone about it for you to consider! Let me know HERE!
I'm afraid of getting electrocuted.
Wagos!!!
New codes no more with batteries🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️more job more business obviously more secure 😅😅
Why didn’t you connect all the Asians together?