The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Smoke Alarm Is Beeping
Do you hear a faint chirping noise coming from the back hallway or the basement? Don’t ignore it. It might be your smoke detector.
Smoke detectors are designed to chirp or beep when they need servicing.
Common Reasons for Smoke Alarm to Beep
When the battery in your smoke alarm is starting to get weak, the alarm is designed to warn you to change the battery by emitting an intermittent chirp or beep. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends homeowners change the battery in their smoke alarm once a year. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions in case they specify that a brand or model of battery must be used. If you have a smoke alarm with a non-replaceable, 10-year battery and it starts to beep, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
If the battery is not making complete contacts with the terminals in the alarm or if the battery cover is not fully closed, the smoke alarm may continue to beep. For smoke alarms with a battery back-up, there is a pull-tab that needs to be removed after AC power is provided to the device. If the smoke alarm is still beeping, make sure the pull-tab has been removed. If that doesn’t work, try manually resetting your smoke alarm to clear the error. If the batteries you have installed in the smoke detector have been sitting in a drawer for a long time or stored in a cold area, they may not work. Try another battery.
Dirt, humidity, steam, or a drastic temperature fluctuation can sometimes trigger beeping or chirping. Another similar system nearby can also cause interference. The NFPA recommends smoke alarms are never installed near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation. Smoke alarms should never be painted or decorated either. Check your manufacturer’s instructions, but you can usually clean the interior of your smoke alarm with a vacuum or wipe it down with a damp cloth.
A power outage or surge can cause an issue with your smoke alarm. Does the chirping always occur when you turn on another appliance in your home? Perhaps the alarm needs to be moved onto another circuit. You may need to call an electrician to investigate if you have hardwired smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms have an average life expectancy of about ten years. The NFPA recommends homeowners replace their smoke detectors every ten years. If your alarm is beeping and you can’t figure out why take it down and check the manufacturer’s date on the back. If it is nearing ten years old, replace it.
Smoke detectors save lives. Almost three-fifths of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke detectors or no working smoke detectors, according to data from the NFPA. If your smoke alarm is not working for some reason or beeping and driving you crazy, it’s critical to figure it out right away.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Is the Use of CCTV Cameras in the Workplace Illegal?
Know the Law Business owners are responsible for the security and well-being of their employees and company property. Many companies use technology such as cameras, motion detectors, and other tools to keep an eye on their building or cash areas. Many new businesses and employees may be wondering: Are CCTV cameras illegal in the workplace? Let’s…
What is the Difference Between Dome Cameras and Bullet Cameras?
Security cameras are an integral part of a security system in any home or business. They give you access to a video stream of what is happening inside a building or on your property while also giving the owner the ability to look back on footage if necessary. There are many different types of CCTV cameras out…
What Is a Central Station Alarm?
A central station alarm system is one that feeds directly into a central monitoring station. If a sensor on the central station alarm system is triggered, such as fire, smoke, C02, or burglar, the system does much more than just set off a loud siren or send an email alert telling you to log into…
Security Camera Resolutions Explained
Different Security Camera Resolutions and Which is Right for You Welcome to the 2020s—it’s finally time to pull the trigger and get a home security camera. Now what? There are a baffling number of cameras and resolutions available on the consumer market, but the math behind figuring out what you want in a security camera…
What is the Lifespan of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors?
As with pretty much everything, your smoke alarm eventually expires. Sensors can become less sensitive over time, making them less adept at doing their job: detecting smoke, carbon monoxide, or potential fires. Replacing the equipment in your fire safety system is important both at home and in your business. We have developed a quick guide…
Cons of DIY Home Security Systems
When considering getting a home security system, some people might assume they can set up a fully functioning system themselves. The reality is that DIY systems come with some significant drawbacks. Here are some of the things to consider before you decide to take on this project yourself. Not Professionally Installed The importance of having…
Which Businesses are Burglarized Most?
The idea of business theft and burglary is not a pleasant one; however, the likelihood of your business being burglarized is rather high. In fact, approximately 37% of small business owners were impacted by burglary or theft over the past year. Retail businesses in particular are highly targeted as thieves are seeking the opportunity to either use or resell stolen items. Everything from simple shoplifting to employee theft can contribute to overall business…
What Do Villages Require to Add a Security System?
What Is a Village? A village in the United States is defined as a small municipality with limited corporate powers. A village government usually consists of a village board made up of trustees and a village president. Village Building Codes Have Minimum Requirements Every village adopts its own building codes to establish minimum requirements for…
The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security
If you are like the rest of Americans, you have noticed that the Ring Security company has been in the news lately— and not for anything useful. Between security hacks and lawsuits, the company has landed itself in hot water. Surveillance Camera Hacks Homeowners have security cameras installed in their homes to give them peace…
Why Cheaper Isn’t Better When It Comes to Security
What is DIY Security? The development of home security technology using wireless transmission connections and battery power has made it possible for DIY options to enter the home security market. One of the biggest misconceptions about DIY home security is that it is so easy that a person with absolutely zero background on audiovisual equipment…