Reminder to Businesses About Battery-powered Smoke Alarms

February 23, 2023

The Department of Buildings (DOB) reminds business owners selling smoke alarms powered by removable batteries to immediately remove these items from your inventory and replace them with long-lasting, sealed-battery smoke alarms.

Effective January 1, 2023, a Chicago ordinance prohibits the sale or distribution of any smoke alarm that is solely powered by a removable battery. Tamper-proof smoke alarms with long-lasting sealed batteries (often marketed as 10-year smoke alarms) are now the only type of battery-powered smoke alarms that can be legally sold or distributed in the City Chicago. This does not affect smoke alarms that are, or will be, hard wired into the building’s electrical system and have a removable backup battery.

Tips

  • A working smoke alarm reduces the risk of death from a home fire by 55 percent.
  • Smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old have reached the end of their service life and must be replaced.
  • As of January 1, 2023, the only type of battery-powered smoke alarms that can be sold or distributed in the City Chicago have long-lasting sealed batteries (often called 10-year smoke alarms).
  • All smoke alarms should be tested, using the “test” button, at least once a month.
  • If a smoke alarm is not working, make sure it is replaced right away.

Resources

Learn more about the City’s smoke alarm requirements on the DOB website: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/smoke-alarms.html 

 

Alert Facts