If a smoke alarm fails a sensitivity test, what should the technician do?

• A. Reset and recalibrate
• B. Replace it
• C. Ignore and continue
• D. Move to another location

Answer: (B)

When a smoke alarm fails a sensitivity test, it means the detector isn’t within the required sensing range and may not reliably detect smoke. Replacing it is the proper action because sensor performance can degrade due to age, contamination, or internal drift, and that kind of issue isn’t safely fixed by a simple reset or recalibration. A reset or recalibration might address a temporary glitch, but if the unit can’t pass the test, its ability to protect lives can’t be trusted. Ignoring the failure leaves occupants at risk, and moving the unit to another location doesn’t fix the faulty device and can create gaps in coverage. After replacing the detector, re-test to confirm the new unit operates correctly and that the system meets standards.