Recommended Working Life of Apollo Detectors

Detectors manufactured by Apollo have a recommended working life of 10 years when used in dry, non-corrosive atmospheres and provided that they are regularly inspected, tested, cleaned and recalibrated as outlined in these pages. This period has been assessed on the basis of information provided by component suppliers and on twenty years' experience of servicing these products.

Most Apollo detectors will continue to operate within specification after 10 years' service, however, gradual deterioration of integrity and reliability should be allowed for.

In the interests of safety and the avoidance of unwanted alarms, Apollo recommends the rountine replacement of detectors after 10 years service.

 

Discovery Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The electro-chemical cell used in the Discovery carbon monoxide fire detector has a maximum life of seven years. High temperature or low relative humidity can, however, reduce the cell life and therefore detectors must be functionally tested at least once a year. Discovery carbon monoxide detectors have a remote self test feature and this should be used to verify that the electro-chemical cell is active. Any detector failing these tests should be returned to Apollo's service department.

 

How to determine the age of an Apollo detector

The age of an Apollo product can be determined by the serial number. However, due to factored products and changes within Apollo to improve production, the serial number formats have changed over time.

Below are the four formats used. All ther serial number formats represent the same date ie April 2002.

0402-25684The first two numbers represent the month and the second two the year
020401The first two numbers represent the year, the second two the month and the third two the day
020401/6AThis format is the same as the above but with the addition of a build standard
1502123This format is only used on sounders. The first two numbers are the week of the year and the second two are the year.

For information on product identification labels, please click here.

Detectors manufactured by Apollo which do not have a serial number can only have their age determined by referring to serialised records held at Apollo. The absence of a serial number would mean that the detector was made before March 1981.

For more information regarding determining the age of Apollo detectors, please consult the table below or contact the Service Department.

DescriptionPart numberDate
Mark I ionisation smoke detectors53541-101, 1211969-1977
Mark I heat detectors53531-101, 102, 201, 202, 303, 3101973-1983
Mark II ionisation smoke detectors53541-111, 113, 146, 1471977-1985
Mark II optical smoke detectors53551-101, 102, 103, 1041983-1986
Series 30 heat detectors53531-211, 214, 221, 231-234, 2411984-1996
Series 30 ionisation smoke detectors53541-151, 152, 156, 1571984-1996
Series 20 optical smoke detectors53551-201, 203, 204, 2051986-1996
Series 90 temperature detector54000-6011986-1996
Series 90 ionisation smoke detector54000-7011987-1996
Series 90 optical smoke detector54000-8011986-1997
Series 6055000-100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 200, 210 3001992-
XP9555000-400, 401, 500, 600, 8851992-
Discovery58000-400, 500, 600, 7001998-
Series 6555000-120, 121, 122, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 315, 316, 3171998-
AlarmSense55000-190, 3901998-
XPlorer59000-405, 406, 605, 606, 700, 810, 9102001-