What type of maintenance is crucial for the reliability of smoke detectors?

Regular cleaning and sensitivity testing of smoke detectors are crucial for their reliability. Over time, smoke detectors can accumulate dust, dirt, and other contaminants that may impair their sensitivity to smoke. This build-up can lead to false alarms or, worse, a failure to detect actual smoke. Cleaning ensures that the detector can respond to smoke effectively.

Sensitivity testing is also a vital part of maintaining smoke detectors. This process checks whether the detector is functioning within the manufacturer's specified sensitivity range. If a detector becomes too insensitive, it may not trigger an alarm in time to prevent harm.

Incorporating both cleaning and sensitivity testing into a maintenance routine addresses both physical blockages and functional deficiencies, thereby ensuring that smoke detectors operate efficiently and effectively in the event of a fire.