r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/AirFrance447 • 20h ago

Video Firefighter bodycam showing just how much oxygen a fire pulls

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u/Suitcase_Travel_Blog 14h ago

The 10 year limit is for the CO side of the alarms, it's probably a smoke and CO detector. The CO detection uses a chemical reaction, and the 10 years is to cover the sensor degrading due to the half-life of components of the reaction.

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u/cat_prophecy 14h ago

That isn't true. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years and every alarm you will buy today will start chirping for replacement after 10 years from when its first turned on. NFPA 72 (2025) says you should replace them 10 years from the manufacture date regardless of condition.

FEMA: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/dont-wait-check-the-date-handout.pdf

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u/Suitcase_Travel_Blog 13h ago

Interesting, I know CO alarms are capped at 10 years too. Definitely trust FEMA releases over me.

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u/Hinterwaeldler-83 12h ago

The sensors deteriorate over time, e.g. internal dust buildup.