While it's important to call 9-1-1 if your CO alarm is sounding continuously without stopping, a CO alarm that chirps every 30 seconds is not an emergency. It probably means your CO alarm has reached its end of life and should be replaced.
If your smoke alarm is emitting a single high-pitched chirp every 30 seconds or so, it's most likely a sign that the battery is running low and needs to be replaced. Stopping the problem is a simple matter of changing it out. There are, of course, other reasons why your alarm might be chirping: Dust.
A single chirp means the battery is low or the detector should be replaced.
Consistently chirping smoke alarms
Low Battery – The alarm will chirp every 30-40 seconds (every 60 seconds for some alarms) for a minimum of seven days. Replace the battery when this occurs, then test your alarm. Alarm Malfunction – The alarm will chirp between flashes of the Red LED.
When the detector is making chirping sounds every 30 seconds, this is not the same as a continuous siren. The chirping sound usually indicates the alarm is near its end of life and requires replacing. Carbon monoxide detectors have a seven-year lifespan. Replacing the battery does not stop this type of beeping.
Change the batteries
There is always a chance that it's a weak or low battery. In today's connected smart homes, sensors, detectors, and the panel itself, all function on batteries. Alarm beeping is a built-in warning that signals the power is fading, and that a new battery will be required soon.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.
Smoke alarm chirping intermittently
Ensure you are using the correct battery type and are inserting it the correct way around. If the battery is low, it is more likely to sound at night as a drop in room temperature can impact the battery's ability to power the alarm. Check the manufacture date on your alarm.
A single chirp from your smoke alarm every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed. To avoid those annoying middle-of-the-night chirps, change the battery once a year.
A beep code is the audio signal from a computer when it first powers on to give the Power-On Self-Test (POST) result. Typically, one short beep means that it passed the test successfully or a series of beeps means that something is wrong with the computer hardware.
A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed. Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced. All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
CO alarms and combination CO alarms are always clearly labeled even though many smoke detectors are not. Another way to verify whether your devices can detect both CO gas and smoke is by pressing their test buttons. Modern, hard-wired units will issue verbal alerts such as “Warning!
Check out the hot water heater, the lawn sprinkler system, the security system, the lights (yes, even the lights), the Wi-Fi, the main electrical box, the air conditioner, even the wall outlets. The chirping is annoying, spend some time closely listening to everything.
If you have a carbon monoxide detector chirping and then it stops, it's important to take the situation seriously, even if the alarm is no longer sounding. Even if the alarm has stopped, get everyone out of the home to a place with fresh air. Contact 911 or your local fire department to report the incident.
A “chirp” will have a higher pitched tone and sound in equal intervals about once every minute. An intermittent alarm will be random, sound usually for several seconds and have a lower pitched tone. Any of these situations can cause unwanted chirps: Battery Pull-tab is Still in the Alarm.
Consistent Chirping
Low Battery – The carbon monoxide batteries need to be replaced. End of Life Warning – Seven years after initial power up, a Kidde CO alarm will begin chirping every 30 seconds.
When your carbon monoxide detector chirps 4 times in a row and pauses, this means it has detected unsafe levels of carbon monoxide. This means your entire household should evacuate immediately and seek fresh air.
False or nuisance alarms are when your smoke detector or CO alarm goes off, but there is no presence of smoke or carbon monoxide in your home. However, if your smoke or carbon monoxide detector sounds indicating an emergency and you are not certain it is a nuisance alarm, evacuate the home and call 9-1-1.
Dust and debris can easily accumulate inside your hard-wired smoke alarm, causing that incessant chirping sound. This build-up can interfere with the sensing chamber, triggering false alarms. To prevent this, make a habit of cleaning your smoke detectors regularly.
Common reasons why fire alarms beep randomly at night include low batteries, dust buildup, or environmental factors like humidity or temperature changes.
Go to the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. , then tap Home Settings. Tap Safety & Security. Tap Sound Recognition, then turn on Smoke & CO Alarm.