Test Smoke Alarms, Carbon Monoxide Alarms, and Emergency Equipment

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: inventory and test every accessible smoke alarm, carbon-monoxide alarm, and combination alarm in one residence; replace only the manufacturer-specified battery where applicable; visually inspect accessible fire extinguishers and approved escape equipment; walk primary and secondary exit routes; and produce one life-safety readiness record.

B. Device Inventory Schedule

Device Category	Information Recorded	Primary Purpose
Smoke alarms	Manufacturer, model, power source, interconnection, location, manufacture date, replacement date, condition	Confirm fire-detection readiness at every location
Carbon-monoxide alarms	Manufacturer, model, power source, interconnection, location, manufacture date, replacement date, condition	Confirm CO-detection readiness at every location
Combination and hearing-impaired alert devices	Manufacturer, model, power source, interconnection, location, condition	Confirm specialized notification devices are present and functional
Fire extinguishers	Location, rating, pressure indication, seal, pin, hose condition, service tag	Confirm accessibility and visible service status
Escape ladders and emergency equipment	Location, packaging, instructions, compatibility, expiration or service information	Confirm presence and visible readiness without deployment
Exit routes	Primary and secondary route, obstruction, door and window operation, hardware condition	Confirm occupants can reach a safe exit

C. Records and Reference Takeoff

• Records to review before testing: adopted requirements, prior alarm records, manufacturer instructions, sleeping-area layout, fuel-burning equipment locations, and attached-garage conditions.
• Life-Safety Readiness worksheet: one copy, used to record every device, test result, battery action, emergency-equipment finding, and exit-route observation from this project.
• Photograph index: maintained alongside the worksheet, linking each device identifier to its label photograph and, where relevant, a deficiency photograph.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Inventory completeness	Every accessible smoke alarm, CO alarm, combination device, extinguisher, escape device, and exit route is identified and recorded
Test method	Every alarm is tested only with its built-in test control and manufacturer procedure; no flame, smoke, or improvised source is used
Test result confirmation	Audible or visible output is confirmed at each device, and interconnected activation is confirmed only through the approved system procedure
Battery service	Only the manufacturer-specified battery type is installed, dated, and reinstalled with the battery door and mounting restored
Failed-device handling	Every alarm that fails, chirps, faults, is beyond documented service life, or lacks required power is flagged for prompt replacement rather than reset
Emergency equipment	Extinguishers and escape equipment are inspected visually only; none are discharged, deployed, or serviced
Exit-route condition	Every primary and secondary exit route is walked and confirmed clear, or the obstruction is recorded as an immediate finding

E. Preparation — Notification, Inventory, and Setup

1. Review property and device background. Review adopted requirements, property type, sleeping areas, fuel-burning equipment, attached-garage conditions, prior alarm records, and manufacturer instructions.
2. Notify occupants and the monitoring service. Notify occupants and monitoring services as required before testing interconnected or monitored devices, and record the notification on the worksheet.
3. Identify every device and exit. Locate every accessible smoke alarm, carbon-monoxide alarm, combination alarm, hearing-impaired alert device, fire extinguisher, escape ladder, emergency light, and designated exit.
4. Record device identity from each label. Record manufacturer, model, power source, interconnection, location, manufacture date, replacement date if known, and visible condition for each device.
5. Confirm no device will be altered without authorization. Do not remove, silence, relocate, paint, cover, or disconnect a required device without an approved replacement and authorization.

F. Pre-Test Visual Inspection

1. Inspect each alarm before testing. Check for damage, obstruction, paint, contamination, loose mounting, a missing battery door, a removed battery, and end-of-life indication.
2. Verify device type and location against available information. Compare the device and its location to product instructions and adopted requirements without representing the review as a code certification.

G. Alarm Testing

1. Test using the built-in control only. Use the built-in test control and manufacturer procedure for each alarm.
2. Do not use an improvised test source. Do not use flame, candles, matches, smoke, vehicle exhaust, canned gas not approved for the device, or any other improvised test source.
3. Confirm output at the device. Confirm audible and visible output at the device being tested.
4. Confirm interconnection through the approved procedure. Confirm interconnected activation only through the approved system procedure, coordinated with occupants.
5. Verify audibility where included in scope. Verify occupants can hear or receive the required notification in sleeping and occupied areas where the project scope includes this assessment.
6. Stop for managed systems. Stop and refer alarms connected to security, fire, sprinkler, elevator, or other managed systems when testing requires authorized service outside this project's scope.

H. Battery Service and Retesting

1. Replace only the specified battery. Replace removable batteries only with the specified battery type, orientation, and date-marking procedure.
2. Do not substitute a battery for required replacement. Do not install a battery in a damaged, contaminated, recalled, or end-of-life alarm as a substitute for replacing the device.
3. Restore the device after service. Restore battery doors, mounting, power, and interconnection after service.
4. Retest after service. Retest every alarm after battery replacement or remounting.
5. Flag devices requiring replacement. Identify alarms that fail, chirp, show a fault, are beyond documented service life, lack required power, or cannot be accessed safely, and arrange prompt replacement with compatible approved equipment.

I. Emergency Equipment and Exit-Route Inspection

1. Inspect fire extinguishers visually. Check accessibility, correct location, visible damage, corrosion, leakage, broken seal, missing pin, hose condition, pressure indication where present, service tag, and labeling.
2. Do not discharge or service an extinguisher. Do not discharge an extinguisher as a routine test, and refer damaged, discharged, recalled, improperly rated, unserviceable, or questionable extinguishers for approved service or replacement.
3. Inspect escape ladders and other approved equipment without deploying them. Check access, packaging, instructions, compatibility, and expiration or service information.
4. Walk primary and secondary exit routes. Walk routes from every sleeping and occupied area.
5. Verify exit operation. Confirm doors, windows, halls, stairs, landings, locks, and exterior paths are not blocked and can be operated as required.
6. Identify obstructions. Note security devices, bars, storage, furniture, damaged hardware, snow, or landscaping that may obstruct emergency escape.
7. Inspect supporting emergency information. Check posted emergency contacts, flashlights, first-aid supplies, and utility-shutoff information where included in the property plan.

J. Closeout and Recordkeeping

1. Restore monitoring status. Restore monitoring status and notify occupants and the monitoring service that testing is complete.
2. Complete the device-by-device test record. Record date, test method, result, battery, age information, deficiencies, replacement action, and next required condition for every device.
3. Update the property log. File the readiness record in the property binder and issue immediate action for any failed required alarm or blocked exit.