Smoke and CO alarm routine

Plain House Manual

Alarms in the home: ________________Test day each month: ________________Yearly check day: ________________

Done	Item	Date	Notes
Set up the record, once
	Every alarm numbered on its base
	Room, level, smoke, CO or both written down
	Date made read off the back of each
	Replace-by: date made plus 10 years
	CO alarm dates read from their own labels
	Battery type: ordinary or sealed
	Count checked against the planner
Every month
	Household warned before the test
	Each test button pressed, in number order
	CO alarms tested the same day
	Linked alarms all sounded together
	Any quiet alarm written down
	Boxes ticked on the monthly grid
Once a year
	Ordinary batteries replaced
	Alarms cleaned as the maker says
	Replace-by column read for the year ahead
When something happens
	Chirp: battery changed, date written
	Chirps after a new battery: alarm due
	Replaced alarm: new row, same number
	Hard-wired work booked with an electrician

Source: NFPA, installing and maintaining smoke alarms, checked October 15, 2026. plainhousemanual.com/records/smoke-co-alarm-record/Testing and record keeping only, not installation, wiring or fire safety advice.

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