Smoke Alarms

[Nod]

One of ours started beeping earlier this evening so I changed the battery. Carried on beeping (Low Battery signal, NOT an alarm sound!) Spotted the little label on it which said "Replace unit by 2012"... Oops! My only excuse is that I was a little preoccupied in 2012! Anyway, other than a reminder to everyone that smoke alarms have a finite lifespan, I'm wondering what to do with the old ones. I've fired off an e-mail to the local council's waste department but the workshy so-and-sos have all boogied off home. Anyone KNOW what to do with them?

 

[viv1969]

One of ours started beeping earlier this evening so I changed the battery. Carried on beeping (Low Battery signal, NOT an alarm sound!) Spotted the little label on it which said "Replace unit by 2012"... Oops! My only excuse is that I was a little preoccupied in 2012! Anyway, other than a reminder to everyone that smoke alarms have a finite lifespan, I'm wondering what to do with the old ones. I've fired off an e-mail to the local council's waste department but the workshy so-and-sos have all boogied off home. Anyone KNOW what to do with them?

Yes.
Put it in the bin and forget about it

 

[OldCarlos]

Recycling bin, not the general waste.

Also, put the old batteries back in it. It might keep the bin men occupied for a while.

 

[gramps]

They probably come under the WEEE Regs so you should take them to your local recycling centre ... bin-men/recycling will probably leave them behind.

 

[mickledore]

Round here the Fire Brigade supply and fit smoke alarms for free. Just had ours replaced. Might be worth asking if your guys do the same. We have two fitted completely gratis.

 

[viv1969]

Recycling bin, not the general waste.

Also, put the old batteries back in it. It might keep the bin men occupied for a while.

Good heavens no.
Everything goes in general waste

 

[Nod]

I'll wait for the official response!

Already snipped the battery clips out for upcycling. Hoping that I can just drop them into the recycling bin but will take them down to the proper facility if necessary (or to B&Q where the replacements were sourced [they were open and nowhere else was!])

 

[dejongj]

Sell them on eBay. The beep is a feature so you know the batteries have charge

One of ours started chirping last week, but we they are linked to the alarm system I ran a diagnostic on them. It was the anti tamper sensor that went off. Very odd as I think I am the only one in the house. Or maybe not. Anyway refitted the lid and all was good again.

 

[srichards]

I get the 10 year ones but some of those have been faulty. I think warehouse conditions can screw them up. I had a fire angel that wouldn't switch on then a kidde that was an arse and packed up within a year. Why do the never start beeping at civilised hours? It's always 4-6am!

 

[jonbeeza]

We can tell when our next door neighbours care visitor has been, as she is always rushing to get to the next house call. The carer wacks the grill up full blast, as she does her patient's tea and toast. As the grill is on so high, she always burns the toast, then follows the high pitched screeching of the smoke alarm. Me and the missus say together, the carer is here

 

[jonbeeza]

I get the 10 year ones but some of those have been faulty. I think warehouse conditions can screw them up. I had a fire angel that wouldn't switch on then a kidde that was an arse and packed up within a year. Why do the never start beeping at civilised hours? It's always 4-6am!

The smoke alarm at our next door neighbour always goes off about 8AM, that is the time she has her tea and toast

 

[viv1969]

I'll wait for the official response!

Already snipped the battery clips out for upcycling. Hoping that I can just drop them into the recycling bin but will take them down to the proper facility if necessary (or to B&Q where the replacements were sourced [they were open and nowhere else was!])

Chances are your bin will have been emptied a couple of times by then

 

[Nod]

I did wonder how long it would take them to answer. Found this in my inbox...

"These are classed as small WEEE, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. They should therefore go in the small WEEE skip at a Recycling Centre and they will be recycled. They cannot go in your recycling bin. Perhaps you could take them to Exton Road when you have other things to take there."

Easy enough to drop them down next time I'm passing, although it might not be for a week or 2.

 

[arclight]

One of ours started beeping earlier this evening so I changed the battery. Carried on beeping (Low Battery signal, NOT an alarm sound!) Spotted the little label on it which said "Replace unit by 2012"... Oops! My only excuse is that I was a little preoccupied in 2012! Anyway, other than a reminder to everyone that smoke alarms have a finite lifespan, I'm wondering what to do with the old ones. I've fired off an e-mail to the local council's waste department but the workshy so-and-sos have all boogied off home. Anyone KNOW what to do with them?

Carbon monoxide alarms also have a limited lifespan.

 

[viv1969]

Easy enough to drop them down next time I'm passing, although it might not be for a week or 2.

Bin

 

[JonathanRyan]

Wasn't there a kid in the US who was collecting old smoke alarms for a "science project"? Turns out he was trying to make a nuclear bomb......

ETA: my mistake. It was of course a perfectly safe nuclear reactor he was trying to make. Boys will be boys.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hahn

 

[OldCarlos]

The Nuclear Boy Scout.

It obviously didn't harm his prospects, he attained the rank of `Eagle Scout` shortly after his lab was dismantled.

 

[viv1969]

The Nuclear Boy Scout.

It obviously didn't harm his prospects, he attained the rank of `Eagle Scout` shortly after his lab was dismantled.

Eagle scout's no tougher than a DOE award.

 

[OldCarlos]

Eagle scout's no tougher than a DOE award.

I know I/wiki said `attained`, but I really wondered if it was, err, given to him. You know, sort of a sweetener for losing his lab.