It is critical that you have working smoke detectors in your home. Smoke detectors should be installed on each level of the house and one inside of each sleeping area. It is essential to test them monthly and change their batteries every six months. We recommend replacing your batteries when you change your clocks.
Testing and Changing Your Fire Alarm Battery
If your smoke alarms are powered by a nine-volt battery, the battery should be replaced every 6 months, while the alarm itself should be replaced once every 10 years. For 10-year lithium-powered fire detectors, you won't need to replace the battery.
A “chirping” sound means that it's time to change batteries. Because alarm sensors wear out, replace each alarm at least every 10 years. Also, alarms have labels showing when they were made. If you don't see a label, the alarm is old and must be replaced.
Testing and Changing Your Smoke Detector Batteries
It is recommended you test your alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working properly, and replace the batteries in your smoke alarm every six months. The detector itself should be replaced at least every ten years.
A smoke alarm will eventually stop chirping if you do nothing. Once the battery has run out completely, the device will switch to residual power. Eventually, this will also drain and the device won't have enough power to beep and let you know it's out of power. You should change the battery before this happens.
Can the Fire Department come out and change the batteries on my smoke detector? Yes, if the smoke alarm is too high for the resident to reach and they are disabled or elderly and are not able to climb on a ladder to replace the batteries. This does not apply for rental properties.
Pressing the “Test/Silence” button on the front of the unit should stop it from beeping or chirping. If this doesn't work, grasp the device and turn it counterclockwise. It should detach from the base so you can open the battery compartment in the back. Remove and replace the battery to see if it caused the issue.
The US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have issued NFPA Standard 72, National Fire Alarm and Signalling Code, which states that all smoke alarms (including alarms that use 10 year batteries, and those that are hard wired) should be replaced when they are ten years old, or sooner if they don't respond ...
How Long Does A Smoke Alarm Chirp Before It Stops Working? If you have a battery-powered smoke alarm, it will chirp for about a month before the battery dies. But if it's a hard-wired alarm with both AC power and a backup battery, it will keep chirping until you replace the backup battery.
Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night? This is likely due to one of the common causes like low battery, dirt buildup, humidity, or insects interfering with the sensor.
Can I install a hardwired smoke detector myself? While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Working with your home's electrical system can be dangerous and complex, best left to a qualified electrician.
You will notice two different lights on your smoke alarm: A steady green light shows the alarm is being powered. A red light that flashes once a minute shows the alarm is working.
There are a few possible causes for your smoke alarm to keep chirping even with a new battery. It might be time to buy a new detector. Check the date of manufacture printed on the back of your alarm to confirm it's not expired. Most alarms expire 7-10 years after the manufacture date.
Lithium batteries (non-rechargeable): Lithium batteries typically last 10-15 years if stored correctly, with minimal self-discharge.
Alarms with traditional (alkaline) batteries are fine. But those batteries must be changed at least once a year—and you may experience a “chirping” sound when the batteries are dying, which will require your immediate attention for safety. Instead, we recommend you get alarms that have long-life lithium ion batteries.
The Most Common Reason: Low Battery
They tend to lose voltage quickly at high temperatures and fluctuate at lower temperatures.
Your alarm manufacturer may have included a blinking red light to let you know it's time to test the alarm again. The Batteries are Low: Usually accompanied by a loud beep, a blinking red light could mean the batteries in the unit are low. Consider adding fresh batteries and running a test to make sure it's working.
If the smoke alarms give three beeps, then nothing, or any other kind of consistent but spaced-out chirps, there are two possible malfunctions: the device or the battery. If your alarm beeps once every minute for five minutes, this generally means it might be at the end of the device's life.
You should plan to replace your smoke detectors every 10 years.
Low battery life triggers the alarm in a smoke detector more often in the early hours of the morning. You should check the alarm batteries in every battery operated smoke alarm on a regular basis. As the battery in a smoke alarm loses power, it causes an internal resistance within the smoke detector.
According to the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the California Building Code, at least one smoke detector needs to be placed in each of the following areas of your home: On Every Floor Level. In Every Bedroom. In Every Hallway Outside of a Bedroom.
Clean The Alarm
Dust and debris can affect the alarm. As far as it is concerned, the spider web or speck of dust that is obscuring the sensor is a potential fire and therefore the alarm needs to be sounded. The easiest way to clean an alarm is to run a vacuum cleaner over the vent.
If your smoke detectors are yellowing, chirping non-stop, or going off unexpectedly, it's time to call in our electrical pros from Integrity Home Solutions. We can inspect and replace hardwired smoke detectors or install them if you don't have them in place already. Don't take a chance on your family's safety.