If your smoke alarm beeps, you’re likely to panic. After all, it’s not something you want to hear in the middle of the night. But is your smoke alarm beeping after you’ve silenced it? There could be a more serious problem at hand. In this article, we’ll take a look at why your smoke alarm beeps. A home safety device might feel compelled to keep blaring, let’s see what steps you can take to silence it once and for all so that sleep returns to your household once again. There are a few reasons why your smoke alarm beeping could be a serious issue. You can save yourself a lot of worry by checking the batteries and resetting the unit if needed, but sometimes there are more serious problems that need to be addressed.
What Is A Smoke Alarm?
Smoke alarms are a crucial part of home fire safety. They alert you to the presence of smoke and provide extra time to escape safely if a fire occurs in your home. Smoke alarms are devices that sense smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. A smoke alarm can be either a standalone device or part of a monitored fire protection system.
They can be powered by a battery or hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of your home, especially outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. They should also be installed near all points of egress in case you need to escape quickly. Smoke alarms are not an absolute guarantee that you’ll be safe in the event of a fire, but they can significantly increase your chances of survival. Your smoke alarm should be tested at least once a month if it cannot be once weekly and replaced every 10 years.
Smoke Alarm Features
One of the most important features that people look for in a smoke alarm is that if one sounds, they all sound. This is called interlinking. This can be seen as a crucial safety feature because it ensures that each person in the home is alerted to the danger. It is important to test your smoke alarms regularly. This is because they can go faulty and need replacing, or if the battery is low it will mean that you won’t be alerted if there was a fire. Listen out for your smoke alarm beeping. If your smoke alarm beeps, it could be the battery.
Smoke alarms should be tested once a week to ensure they are working properly. You can do this by pressing the test button on your smoke detector. If it is working correctly, it will emit a short beep sound and flash its light green.
The Smoke Alarm Battery is Low
Eventually, batteries will run out which means the smoke alarm beeps. The quickest way to diagnose your smoke alarm beeping is to check for low battery. This constant chirping will signal to household occupants when a battery replacement is due. Although easy to check, unfortunately, this is not a very common problem. The batteries used in most smoke alarms should last for at least five years. If your battery has failed it could be an indication that the whole device needs to be replaced. Other battery-related issues include if the battery drawer is open then the battery won’t be able to make full contact with the terminals which may cause smoke alarm beeps. Also, if the battery pull-tab is still in the alarm then this will also cause restricted contact with the battery and the terminal.
We recommend people test their smoke alarms on a monthly basis and replace them twice a year. Instead of waiting for when your smoke alarm is beeping. For fire alarms click here.
Test the Battery:
You can use an aerosol smoke detector tester. Using a smoke detector tester will tell you if your smoke alarm is working properly and whether it needs a new battery, or not. These smoke detector testers are quick, safe to use, non-toxic and non-flammable.
The device works by releasing a small amount of smoke into the air and then testing the smoke alarm sensor in order to determine if it working correctly. The presence of smoke should mean that your alarm has been triggered, if it triggers then everything is working correctly and the alarm is primed to save lives during an emergency situation.
If you don’t need to change the battery then check you are not using the wrong batteries. If the batteries are correct then it could be worth checking if the pull tab is still intact. Lastly, we all make silly mistakes… check the batteries haven’t been put in the wrong way.
If you do need to change the battery, remove the old one and replace it with a fresh one. Ideally, one that has enough power left in it to last for another 10 years. Be sure to press down firmly on each side of the battery so that it clicks into place securely.
The Smoke Alarm is Outdated
Why your smoke alarm beeps… When the alarm has reached its end of life, it will begin to beep and emit a warning tone. Smoke alarm beeps are not an indication that your home is on fire, it’s simply telling you that it’s time to replace the device. If you continue to use an outdated smoke alarm, then there’s a risk that the unit could become unreliable or even faulty. This could put you and your family at risk of being injured by fire.
No product is designed to last forever. Typically a smoke alarm will last 7-10 years and the date of manufacture will be on the back of the smoke alarm. Be sure to check it over, even if the device is brand new. Once you know the date of replacement perhaps set a reminder in your calendar to replace the device again in the future. If you have any questions about your smoke alarm, feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to help.
The Smoke Alarm is Damaged or Faulty
Smoke detectors are easily damaged and can malfunction if they are dropped, hit or exposed to extreme heat. The smoke alarm may also be damaged if it is installed in an area that receives significant amounts of vibration, such as near washing machines and dryers. A faulty electrical connection between the battery and the smoke detector is another common cause of failure.
Faults can occur when the device is exposed to water, paint, grease and tampering. If your smoke alarm beeps and it’s faulty there is sadly very little you can do as an end user. We recommend either replacing the device or contacting the manufacturer. Smoke detectors are designed to be safe and easy to use. They should also be reliable, which is why it’s important to maintain your smoke detector regularly. This includes testing, changing the batteries and replacing the device if it becomes damaged or faulty.
The Smoke Alarm is Placed Incorrectly
The placement of a smoke alarm is important. If incorrectly placed, you are more prone to false alarms. The best place to fit a smoke alarm is in the centre of a ceiling, away from obstructions.
It may sound crazy but we have seen:
- Smoke alarms placed outside.
- Smoke alarms in cupboards.
- Smoke alarms within 10 feet of a cooking appliance.
- Smoke alarms next to windows or doors.
- Smoke alarms under sinks or cookers.
- Where dirt and dust could block the sensor.
The smoke alarm should be at least 2 metres away from any walls and at least 1.5 metres above the floor. If you have a flat roof or a high ceiling, it may be worth mounting smoke alarms on walls as well as ceilings. If you are unsure of how to fit a smoke alarm, contact your local fire brigade for advice.
Smoke and Heat Alarm Installation
We have discussed what smoke alarm beeps could mean. Now we need to understand the process of installation. In order to ensure effective detection in the event of a fire, it is important that your smoke and heat alarms are properly positioned. Smoke and heat alarms will include instructions on where to place them in your home; however, you may find the following tips useful. It is your responsibility to ensure that the detector locations meet building regulations.
Ideally, smoke alarms should be installed in the centre of a ceiling with at least 300mm clearance from walls and light fittings/decorative objects. Air does not circulate effectively in corners, and light fittings can obstruct smoke or heat from entering the sensor chamber. Also, we need to detect smoke as early as possible therefore smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling.
If it is not possible to install the smoke detector on a ceiling, you can place it up to 575mm below the ceiling. In addition, the heat detector should be mounted directly on the ceiling, but if this is not possible it can be installed up to 125mm below it.
Conclusion
A smoke alarm beeps when there is an issue. It’s important to ensure that you have a proper smoke alarm installed and working at all times. If your home has more than one storey, it’s also important to have a smoke detector on each level. If you’re looking to install a smoke alarm, learn how to do it safely and effectively. It’s also important to note that smoke alarms should be tested regularly and replaced after 10 years. If you have any questions about your smoke alarm beeping or the fitting or installing a smoke alarm, contact your local fire brigade for advice.
Smoke Alarms We Recommend
If you’re looking for a smoke alarm, we have a range of options available to meet your needs. Our smoke alarms are designed to give you peace of mind whether you’re at home or away. With an effective warning system in place, it can help reduce the risk of fire spreading quickly through your home and causing serious damage.
FireAngel FS2126-T
The FireAngel FS2126-T (WST-630T) wireless linked optical smoke alarm is a high-quality device that provides early warning of fire by monitoring conditions in the environment. Optical and thermal sensing provide fast reactions to both smouldering and flaming fires, while 92% of the UK’s fire services use FireAngel products.
Features
- FireAngel FS2126-T (previously WST-630T)
- 10-year battery life.
- Loud 85dB alarm
- Battery Powered
- 5 Year Manufacturer’s Guarantee
- Can Interlink with up to 50 other devices
- Connects wirelessly to other FireAngel wireless products
- Up to 200m Range
- Grade F1
Create a network of up to 50 Smart RF devices that provide instant warning throughout your home.
ANKA 372/238
If you are a landlord, it is important that you understand the stipulations surrounding interlinked smoke detectors. This will help both keep tenants and landlords safe and in compliance with the law. This will help both keep tenants and landlords safe and in compliance with the law. The best way to keep yourself safe is to install smoke detectors in every room of your home.
Features
- Wirelessly interlinked.
- DC 3V battery.
- Sealed 10-year battery.
- 85dB alarm
- Suitable for properties with an existing CO detector.
The best way to keep tenants safe is to have them install smoke detectors in every room of their homes.
FireAngel SW1-PF-T
The FireAngel Mains Powered Smoke Alarm is a high-quality mains-powered alarm that can be interconnected with other similar alarms. The SW1-PF-T is manufactured by FireAngel, and comes with a 5-year warranty. This product does not work with the WST or WHT range from FireAngel.
Features
- FireAngel SW1-PF-T
- 230Vac mains powered
- BS5839-6 Grade D
- Cable interlink or Wireless interlink-only installation
- Easy fit tamper-proof base
- 9v zinc carbon battery back-up
- Compatible with RF base (sold separately)
- Grade D2
The SW1-PF-T is designed for use in the home, and has a sealed 10 year battery. It has a 85dB alarm which will sound if smoke is detected, and this will be heard from anywhere up to 50m away.