hardwired smoke alarm servicing

[willaimrailton]

Hi

the property that I rent has a hard wired smoke alarm and heat detectors. I am required to test them on a weekly basis, however is the landlord legally required to have them serviced on an annual or 6 monthly schedule?

thanks

[Horsepig]

As a general rule, the landlord is required to make sure the alarms work, how and when he does it is up to him. You are testing them weekly, and would report to him if they didn't work. He would act on your report, I assume. I recommend an annual test for smoke alarms, and back up battery replacement but in any event, smoke alarms tend to require replacement after about 5 years because they become less effective.

[Harry Dewick-Eisele]

Mains powered smoke alarms will last 10 years. No need to change beforehand unless, of course, there is a fault.