Blog

The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Smoke Alarm Is Beeping

September 20, 2019|fsstechnologies

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.

Speak with a fire system expert

Explore Our Other Blogs

2019-12_FSSTechnologies_blogs_simplisafe-review_hero-min

The Only SimpliSafe Review You Need to Read

What is SimpliSafe? SimpliSafe is one of several do-it-yourself home security systems on the market. The challenge with any DIY home security system, in our opinion, comes down to the customer experience. SimpliSafe’s customer support offers minimal assistance to ensure you adequately install and troubleshoot your system. While they do provide an 800-telephone number, the…

Continue reading
cctv-types-Hero

What Are The Different Types of CCTV Cameras?

Your company’s security camera is part of a closed-circuit television system (CCTV). CCTV uses one or more cameras, through either wireless or wired transmission, to send the broadcast from the camera directly to a monitor, set of monitors, or a recording device—providing you peace of mind in the case of crime, fire, theft, or accidents…

Continue reading
Hero-smarthome-min

4 Questions & Answers about Smart Home Devices

Smart Home Technology Let’s face it; we are in love with our smartphones. According to Pew Research Center, more than 81% of Americans now own one; that is up from just 35% in 2011. With so much power in the palm of our hand, it’s not surprising that we want to use our smartphone for…

Continue reading
206516~1

Can You Get in Trouble for Breaking into Your Own House?

Is it legal for you to break into your own house?

Continue reading
how-cameras-work-at-night-hero-min

How Security Cameras Work at Night

Security Camera Night Vision  Light is crucial for a camera to work. Without light, the camera can’t see anything, so how do security cameras work at night?  Infrared radiation (IR), or infrared light, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to human eyes. It is essentially energy, a heat, that all objects emanate….

Continue reading
Hero-accesscontrol-min

Does My Business Need an Access Control System?

Does My Business Need an Access Control System? Before determining whether your business could benefit from an access control system, let’s go over the different types and their capabilities. In short, an access control system is a type of security system that lets you control who, where, and when someone can enter or exit your…

Continue reading
Hero-SmallBusinessSetup-min

Best Small Business Security Systems

While no two small businesses are the same, they share commonalities when it comes to what they want in a security system. Most small business owners want to do three things: Protect their people, property, and assets from fire Protect their people, property, and assets from theft See what is happening in their business even…

Continue reading
Hero-ADT-Settlement-min

ADT Home Security Settlement

ADT home security is facing a class-action lawsuit. The plaintiffs allege that ADT failed to disclose wireless sensors’ vulnerability to evasion and jamming.   Why should you care? Although this settlement is for ADT, this is a vulnerability all wireless security systems face.    Let’s talk about wireless technology for a second. All home Wi-Fi…

Continue reading
Hero-inspection-min

What Matters in a Fire Alarm Inspection?

At FSS Technologies, we understand that safety and reliability are paramount when it comes to fire alarm systems. While installing commercial fire safety systems is a critical first step in protecting your business, your efforts can’t stop there. Fire alarm inspections are just as necessary to ensure your building is prepared for emergencies. Learn about what…

Continue reading
HeroVideoStorage-min

What are the Different Kinds of Security Video Storage?

Security Video Recordings Storage How much storage does a security camera have? It is a seemingly simple question, with a surprisingly complicated answer. Security and surveillance cameras can use a variety of storage types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. To choose the right security video storage for you, you will need to consider…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space
chat with us