Smoke & CO Detector Installation Miami | Solomon

The Silent Guardians You Hope Never Wake

You’re sleeping at 2 AM. A smoldering electrical fire starts in your attic. Smoke begins filling your home.

Proper warnings provide the critical time needed to escape.

Properly installed, interconnected smoke detectors give you that critical warning—the single most important life safety device in your home. Here’s how to install them correctly.

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Quick Answers: Smoke Detector FAQ

Where exactly do I need smoke detectors?

Florida code requirements:

• Inside every bedroom
• Outside each sleeping area (hallway outside bedrooms)
• On every level of the home
• In basements (if applicable)

Additional recommended locations:

• Living rooms
• Kitchens (with photoelectric detectors to reduce cooking false alarms)
• Laundry rooms
• Garages (heat detectors, not smoke)

Hardwired vs. battery-only—which is better?

Hardwired detectors are superior:

• Never die from dead batteries (backup batteries only for power outages)
• Easy to interconnect (all alarms sound when one triggers)
• More reliable long-term
• Required in new construction

Battery-only acceptable for:

• Existing homes (retrofit)
• Adding detectors beyond code minimum
• Temporary solutions

How do interconnected smoke detectors work?

When one detector senses smoke, all detectors alarm simultaneously. This ensures:

• Bedroom occupants hear alarm even if fire is distant
• Immediate coordinated alert
• Better chance of safe evacuation

Interconnection methods:

• Hardwired: Physical wire between all detectors
• Wireless RF: Radio frequency communication (no wires needed)
• Hybrid: Combination of both

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Types of Smoke & Safety Detectors

Ionization Smoke Detectors

How they work:

• Detect fast-flaming fires quickly
• Use small radioactive source to ionize air
• Respond rapidly to visible flames

Best for: Areas prone to fast-burning fires (paper, wood)

Drawback: More prone to false alarms from cooking

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

How they work:

• Detect slow-smoldering fires earlier
• Use light beam to sense smoke particles
• Better for electrical fires, upholstery fires

Best for: Kitchens, living areas (fewer false alarms)

Advantage: Less sensitive to cooking smoke

Dual-Sensor Detectors

Combine both technologies:

• Ionization + photoelectric in one unit
• Best overall protection
• Respond to both fast and slow fires

We recommend dual-sensor for most installations—comprehensive protection.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Essential for homes with:

• Gas appliances (water heaters, ranges, dryers)
• Fireplaces or wood stoves
• Attached garages (vehicle exhaust)
• Generators

CO is odorless, col orless, and deadly. Detectors must be:

• Outside each sleeping area
• On every level
• Not in garages (exhaust causes false alarms)

Combination Smoke + CO Detectors

Single unit provides both:

• Smoke detection
• Carbon monoxide detection
• Reduces number of devices needed

Perfect for: Bedrooms, hallways outside sleeping areas

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Professional Installation Process

Step 1: Compliance Assessment

We evaluate:

• Current detector locations vs. code requirements
• Detector ages (replace if over 10 years)
• Interconnection status
• Battery vs. hardwired
• CO detector needs

Step 2: System Design

We plan:

• Detector placement per code and best practices
• Interconnection wiring routes
• Circuit integration (detectors usually share lighting circuit)
• Combination units vs. separate devices

Step 3: Installation

Hardwired smoke detectors:

• Run 14/3 wire from first detector to panel (or tap lighting circuit)
• Run 14/3 interconnect wire between all detectors
• Mount electrical boxes at proper locations
• Wire detectors with interconnect traveler
• Install backup batteries
• Test all interconnections

Wireless interconnected:

• Mount detectors at code-required locations
• Program RF interconnection
• Test communication between units
• Install batteries

Step 4: Testing & Training

We verify:

• All detectors alarm when one is triggered
• Proper sound levels (85 dB minimum)
• Battery backup functions
• Silence/test buttons work
• Demonstrate testing procedure to homeowner

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Code Requirements for Miami Homes

New Construction

Florida Building Code requires:

• Hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup
• Interconnected (all sound together)
• Inside every bedroom
• Outside sleeping areas
• Every level
• Photoelectric or dual-sensor in kitchens

Existing Homes

When selling:

• Smoke detectors must be functional
• Must meet current code (may trigger upgrade requirement)
• Home inspections often flag missing/non-functional detectors

When renovating:

• Major renovations may trigger detector upgrades
• Adding bedrooms requires new detectors
• Electrical work permits may require compliance

Rental Properties

Landlord responsibilities:

• Working smoke detectors in all required locations
• Annual testing recommended
• Replace when tenants report issues
• Maintain batteries in battery-powered units

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Detector Placement Best Practices

Bedroom Detectors

Mount on ceiling:

• Center of room ideal
• At least 4 inches from walls
• Away from AC vents (airflow affects sensing)

Wall mounting (if ceiling impossible):

• 4-12 inches below ceiling
• Dead air space at ceiling/wall corner affects detection

Kitchen Detectors

Special considerations:

• Use photoelectric (reduces cooking false alarms)
• Mount at least 10 feet from cooking appliances
• Never directly above stove

Bathroom Considerations

Not required in bathrooms, but if installing:

• Use photoelectric type
• Mount away from shower steam
• Expect occasional false alarms from shower steam

Garage Detectors

Use heat detectors, not smoke:

• Vehicle exhaust causes constant smoke detector false alarms
• Heat detectors activate at high temperatures
• Still provide fire protection

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Maintenance & Longevity

Monthly Testing

Test button check:

• Press test button on each detector
• Verify loud alarm sounds
• Interconnected detectors should all alarm

Annual Maintenance

Battery replacement:

• Replace all 9V backup batteries annually
• Industry standard: daylight saving time changes
• Use quality batteries (Duracell, Energizer)

Cleaning:

• Vacuum detector vents to remove dust
• Dust accumulation reduces sensitivity
• Wipe exterior with damp cloth

10-Year Replacement

All detectors have 10-year lifespan:

• Sensors degrade over time
• Less sensitive to smoke
• Check manufacture date on back of detector
• Replace entire unit at 10 years

New detectors have sealed 10-year batteries—no annual battery changes needed.

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Common Problems & Solutions

Nuisance Alarms

Causes:

• Cooking smoke (use photoelectric)
• Steam from showers
• Dust accumulation
• Insects in detector
• Detector too old

Solutions:

• Relocate detector away from source
• Upgrade to photoelectric type
• Clean detector thoroughly
• Replace if over 10 years old

Chirping/Beeping

Low battery chirp:

• Replace 9V battery immediately
• Test detector after battery change

End-of-life chirp (different pattern):

• Unit is over 10 years old
• Replace entire detector

Interconnection Failures

One detector doesn’t trigger others:

• Check interconnect wire connections
• Verify all detectors same brand/model
• Test each detector individually
• Replace faulty unit

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Life Safety. Code Compliance. Peace of Mind.

Professional installation of smoke detectors, CO detectors, and comprehensive life safety systems throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.