How long does a combo smoke/CO alarm last?

The life expectancy of a combo smoke/CO alarm varies from 5 to 10 years, as rated by manufacturer, with newer models having a longer life. Fortunately, smoke/CO alarms manufactured after August 1, 2009, are required to have an “end of life feature” that notifies you by persistent chirping when it is time for replacement. To learn more about the end of life feature, go to our blog post Why does my CO alarm (carbon monoxide) keep chirping after replacing the battery? 

    Here’s a bar graph comparing a combo smoke/CO alarm life expectancy to other home technologies.
    Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? for rating of other house components. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Are they actually useful? 

Here’s links to a collection of some of our other blog posts about “SMOKE AND CO ALARMS":

• What is the best place to install carbon monoxide alarms (CO detectors) in a house? 

• Can the smoke sensors in a home security/fire alarm system replace the smoke alarms required by the building code?

• Does pushing the test button on a smoke alarm test the smoke sensor device inside? 

• Should a smoke alarm be installed in the kitchen? 

• Where are smoke alarms required to be located? 

• Are carbon monoxide alarms required to be installed in homes in Florida?

• When should I replace my smoke alarms? 

• Does the Nest Protect system meet current building code standards for a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm system? 

• What does the new Florida smoke alarm law require? 

• Is there a Florida law that all older homes must have smoke alarms, regardless of when they were built? 

• Why are carbon monoxide (CO) alarms required by law for homes in Florida? 

• When were smoke alarms first required to be interconnected?

• How can I tell the difference between a smoke detector and carbon monoxide (CO) detector? 

• When were smoke detectors/alarms first required in Florida?

• What is the minimum height for placement of a CO alarm (carbon monoxide detector)? 

• Where does the code require CO alarms (carbon monoxide detectors)?  

• Is it illegal to disconnect a smoke alarm? 

• Where should smoke alarms NOT be installed?

• Does a home inspector test smoke alarms?

• Does a home inspector test CO carbon monoxide alarms?

• Why does my CO alarm (carbon monoxide) keep chirping after replacing the battery? 

     Visit our SAFETY page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. 

NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. Because of the numerous variables that can affect a lifespan, they should be used as rough guidelines only, and not relied upon as a warranty or guarantee of future performance.