Detector testing
You need to test your detectors monthly
Why you need to test them
The recommendations for most small residential properties is to test detectors (fire and carbon monoxide) at lease once per month.
We could visit your property every month to do this, but this seems invasive and not a good use of time considering how simple the tests are to do. So on the one hand, we need to make sure we comply with safety requirements, whilst on the other we don't want to annoy our students by regularly turning up on the doorstep and setting the detectors off. So as a compromise, we ask our tenants to perform this simple test themselves and log it on the the form below.
If you don't test them
If you don't log tests of your detectors with us, we will need to visit to make sure it is done. We can't guarantee what time of day this will be- possibly, it will be early in the morning...
How to test detectors
Fire detectors
Our properties have interlinked hardwired detectors. This means that testing any detector should activate all detectors in the house when the test button is held down for a few seconds. If this does not happen, you need contact us immediately.
If you are not able to reach the test button, you may want to use a stick/ pencil/ similar long pokey object. Please don't climb on anything to check detectors.
Carbon monoxide detectors
These just require you to press the test button, and usually just give one or two beep s to let you know that they are still working.
More on detectors
My detector is regularly beeping
1) The electricity supply may be interrupted. Check there is no power cut or the trip switches have not tripped.
2) The back-up battery may be beginning to fail. These are the 9v rectangular batteries. If you are able to replace the battery in the beeping detector, please do so. If not, contact us and we can either supply a battery or visit to fit one for you.
3) Presumably it will be very obvious if you have no electricity at all in your property, but possibly the detectors are on a separate circuit which has tripped. Try checking the electrical distribution board (trip switches) to see if a fuse has tripped. If it has, try resetting it and see if this resolves the issue. You will need to then test your detectors using the test button. Contact us immediately if the problem persists.
My detectors randomly sound, but there is no fire
Most smoke detectors work on the principle of detecting particulates in the air (i.e. smoke). There can sometimes be a false reading given by the following:
aerosols used near the detector (if so... don't)
steam affecting the detector (if so- make sure you keep doors shut on steam sources. Note that kitchens will have heat-only detectors, so cooking steam will not affect them)
there is dust/ a spider dancing in the detector. The best approach is usually to vacuum the detector if you can. It is also possible to remove the head and give it a shake. Get in touch if you need any help with this
Detectors have a 10 year lifespan
We should have a record of the expiry date of all detectors, but with hundreds to track, possibly we may miss some. If you notice that the 'replace by' sticker on the side of the detector is overdue, please contact us,
Carbon monoxide detectors should be near gas appliances
Carbon monoxide can cause poisoning if it is in high concentrations in an enclosed space (like a house). Carbon monoxide accrues from gas appliances not burning the gas fully, combined with a fault in the venting system. For this reason, carbon monoxide detectors should not be moved from their position close to the gas-burning appliance (i.e. the boiler).