When shall smoke detector sensitivity be tested?

When shall smoke detector sensitivity be tested?

• A. Monthly
• B. Only at commissioning
• C. Within one year of installation and every alternate year thereafter
• D. Every five years

Answer: (C)

Testing smoke detector sensitivity is about checking that the device will respond within its specified detection range, not just that it can be triggered operationally. Detectors can drift as they age, accumulate dust, or experience electronics tolerance changes, so a sensitivity check is needed to ensure reliability over time. The recommended schedule—within one year of installation and then every alternate year thereafter—strikes a balance between catching drift early and avoiding excessive testing. The initial check confirms the unit starts within spec, and the biennial follow-up monitors aging so small changes don’t go unnoticed. Daily or monthly tests verify that the unit can alarm, but they don’t assess whether its sensitivity is still within the approved range. Conversely, waiting five years or only testing at commissioning could allow drift to exceed acceptable limits, risking missed alarms or nuisance alarms. If a detector is serviced or replaced, the interval typically restarts from commissioning, reinforcing that the ongoing check is tied to the device’s current condition.

Testing smoke detector sensitivity is about checking that the device will respond within its specified detection range, not just that it can be triggered operationally. Detectors can drift as they age, accumulate dust, or experience electronics tolerance changes, so a sensitivity check is needed to ensure reliability over time.

The recommended schedule—within one year of installation and then every alternate year thereafter—strikes a balance between catching drift early and avoiding excessive testing. The initial check confirms the unit starts within spec, and the biennial follow-up monitors aging so small changes don’t go unnoticed. Daily or monthly tests verify that the unit can alarm, but they don’t assess whether its sensitivity is still within the approved range. Conversely, waiting five years or only testing at commissioning could allow drift to exceed acceptable limits, risking missed alarms or nuisance alarms.

If a detector is serviced or replaced, the interval typically restarts from commissioning, reinforcing that the ongoing check is tied to the device’s current condition.