Illinois Smoke Detector Act

You may have heard that Illinois has changed their smoke alarm law. These recent revisions to Illinois’ Smoke Detector Act will require many residents to install new smoke detectors with 10-year sealed batteries by January 1, 2023.

Since 1988, all dwellings in Illinois have been required to have smoke alarms. The Public Act 200 was passed to update the Illinois Smoke Detector Act to reflect the advances in technology. By the end of 2022, single and multi-family homes that are still using smoke alarms with removable batteries (non-hardwired alarms) are required to install new alarms that feature 10-year non-removable, non-replaceable sealed batteries. There are some exceptions and do not have to make the switch: Homes built after 1988 that already have hardwired smoke alarms; and homes with wireless integrated alarms that use low-power radio frequency communications, Wi-Fi or other Wireless Local Area Networking capability.

These 10-year sealed battery alarms can be purchased at home improvement stores and online. If you currently have hardwired smoke alarms in your home and would like the added benefit, you can purchase hardwired alarms with a 10-year sealed battery backup.
The Nest alarms fall under the Wi-Fi/wireless exception, so you don’t have to replace them. Nest Protect will speak to you and send a notification in the Nest app when it needs to be replaced – either because it has expired, or has been damaged. Second generation Nest Protects have to be replaced after 10 years, while first generation Nest Protects have to be replaced after 7 years.

If you have hardwired smoke alarms and want to be worry free, there are 10-year sealed hardwired alarms available. No need to change a battery for 10 years!

Don’t wait to comply with the new law. Start protecting your home and family today!

What to do with the old smoke alarms?
It depends on what type of smoke alarm you have. Look on the back. If it says “Photoelectric”, you can throw it out with your regular trash. If it says “Ionization” or it’s a combination of both Photoelectric and Ionization, it should NOT go in the trash. These contain a small amount of radioactive material. You can contact the manufacture of the alarm and some will take back the old ones.

Click here to read the full statute from the Illinois General Assembly.