Builder left fire alarm under floorboards. Hasn’t stopped it’s alarm for 36h.

Two counterpoints:

  • Most smoke detectors these days that I come into contact with are sealed, 10 year lifespan, and disposable. You can't replace the battery. You just throw the whole unit in the trash and replace it. I realize new construction mandates hardwired units, but in my experience there are a ton of older homes with battery units.
  • If the unit takes alkaline batteries, it's pretty easy to imagine a sequence of events where you keep neglecting to change them. Maybe you don't have the batteries, and you don't have time to go pick them up. You forget, then get used to it, and keep putting it off. Or, maybe the detector is up high or in an awkward location that requires a ladder.
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