Smoke & Fire Alarm Systems

Smoke Detector Installation & Service

Smoke detectors save lives - but only when they're properly installed, placed correctly, and maintained. One Way Electric installs and services hardwired smoke alarm systems for Arizona homes, ensuring your family has the early warning needed to escape a fire.

Arizona building codes require hardwired, interconnected smoke detectors in new construction and major renovations. We bring older homes up to modern safety standards and maintain existing systems to keep them functioning reliably.

Hardwired vs. Battery-Only Detectors

Battery-Only Detectors

The basic option available at any hardware store. Easy to install but requires regular battery replacement. When batteries die, protection ends. Each detector operates independently - if one sounds, others stay silent.

Hardwired Interconnected Systems

Professional-grade protection. Detectors wire directly to your electrical system with battery backup. When one detector senses smoke, ALL detectors in your home sound simultaneously. This interconnection provides critical extra seconds for families in larger homes where you might not hear a single detector from distant bedrooms.

Modern hardwired detectors also include battery backup, so they continue working during power outages.

Smoke Detector Placement

Proper placement is critical. Code requirements and best practices include:

• Every bedroom - Inside each sleeping room
• Outside sleeping areas - In the hallway near bedroom doors
• Every level - At least one detector per floor, including basement
• Ceiling mounting - Smoke rises; ceiling placement detects smoke fastest
• Away from kitchens - At least 10 feet from cooking appliances to prevent nuisance alarms
• Away from bathrooms - Steam can trigger false alarms

We assess your home's layout and install detectors in optimal locations for both code compliance and actual protection.

Carbon Monoxide Detection

Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless and deadly. Arizona homes with gas appliances, attached garages, or gas generators need CO protection. We install combination smoke/CO detectors that protect against both threats in a single unit.

CO detectors are required by Arizona code in homes with:

• Gas water heaters
• Gas furnaces or heaters
• Gas fireplaces
• Attached garages
• Backup generators

When to Replace Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors don't last forever. Manufacturers recommend replacement:

• Smoke detectors - Every 10 years
• CO detectors - Every 5-7 years
• Combination units - Every 7-10 years (replace at the earlier interval)

If your detectors are yellowed, chirp constantly even with new batteries, or you don't remember when they were installed, it's time for replacement.

Our Installation Process

1. Assessment - We evaluate your home's current protection and identify gaps
2. Recommendation - We propose a detector layout meeting code and protecting your family
3. Installation - Licensed electricians install hardwired detectors with proper interconnection
4. Testing - We test every detector and verify interconnection works correctly
5. Documentation - You receive information on testing and maintenance

Maintenance & Testing

We recommend:

• Monthly testing - Press the test button on each detector
• Annual professional inspection - Verify interconnection and sensor function
• Battery replacement - Replace batteries annually even in hardwired units
• Cleaning - Vacuum around detectors to remove dust that can affect sensors

Need maintenance? We can include smoke detector inspection with your annual generator service visit.

Protect Your Family Today

Don't wait for an emergency to discover your smoke detectors aren't working. Call (623) 582-9420 to schedule a smoke detector assessment and upgrade your home's fire protection.

One Way Electric - Arizona ROC #158103 CR-11. Licensed electricians serving the entire state since 1995.