Today’s devices have changed. You can now buy smoke detectors with 10-year sealed batteries that don’t need annual replacement. Many also combine smoke and carbon monoxide detection. When I install a smoke detector, I always write the installation date on it. That way, I know exactly when it will no longer be safe to keep using it, whether it seems to be working or not.
The New Standards and Why They Matter
The detection technology has also improved. In 2024, the latest revision of the U.S. smoke detector standard came into effect.
Nothing is more frustrating than a smoke alarm blaring while you’re cooking. The new standard helps cut down on nuisance alarms in the kitchen.
For context, in 2016 the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) tested 45 alarms against the 2016 requirements—and none of them passed. So it’s a good thing that new battery-operated detectors last a decade. After that, it’s best to replace them entirely.
Types of Smoke Detectors
There are two basic types of smoke detectors:
- Photoelectric – Detects smoke using light
- Ionization – Detects smoke when particles interfere with ionized air
Most fire safety experts recommend having both types in your home—or choosing a dual-sensor unit that covers both.
Where to Place Smoke Detectors
Placement is just as important as type. Fire safety guidelines recommend:
- Inside every bedroom
- Outside each sleeping area
- On every level of the home
You can also interconnect your smoke detectors so that when one goes off, they all go off. This is easy to do in new construction but trickier in older homes. Some brands now offer wireless interconnects, even for battery-powered units.
In New York City, where I live, code requires smoke detectors within 15 feet of bedroom entrances, but only newer buildings require them inside bedrooms.
Making Smoke Detectors Smarter
For my renovation, I hardwired a smoke detector and added the Zooz Long Range DC Signal Sensor, which is wired into the interconnect port. This setup can notify me of whenever a detector is triggered. It also lets me extend alerts to my smart speakers, phone, security system, even a siren if needed. It means even though my detectors aren’t smart themselves, I still get smart notifications.
Why Not Wi-Fi Smoke Detectors?
You can buy Wi-Fi–enabled smoke detectors that connect directly to apps, but I’ve always felt there are issues with this.
- Lock into a particular manufacturer’s system, requiring yet another custom app for each system.
- Lack of integration operations
I prefer to integrate detection into my existing local control systems. That way, I avoid installing yet another app, and I still get reliable alerts when something happens.
A Safer, Smarter Approach to Fire Safety
Smoke detectors have come a long way in the last decade—from 10-year batteries* and dual-sensor technology to new standards that reduce false alarms. By combining the right hardware with smart integrations, you can make sure your home is both safer and less frustrating to live in.
At the end of the day, your smoke detectors should do one thing well: warn you when it matters most. Taking the time to plan placement, choose the right type, and add smart notifications makes that mission even more reliable.
