Smoke Detector Problem

I have a hard-wired smoke detector that chirps between midnight and 6:30 AM. The heater goes on at that time and the chirping stops. The house temperature is set at 60 degrees during the chirping times. This just started. Any ideas as to why this occurring?

By Ken from Entiat, WA

Answers: Smoke Detector Problem

Read answers for this question below.

By 07/10/2011

Oh dear... I tried to check the circuit breaker and did a test on it. Well, I now have disconnected ALL the alarms in the house. Prior to this only two were chirping. They are still chirping but there is no green light on. I will try to remove and replace those new batteries. (The old were still good.) It seems I have made matters worse. I have had my system about 4 years. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

By 02/12/2011

When smoke alarm batteries die they start chirping in the middle of the night when the temp in the house drops. I googled smoke alarms to find out why mine has space for two 9v batteries. I think it may be because it has a lite in it, but not sure. Anyway that's how I found out about the middle of the night chirping!

By 02/02/2011

It's 4: 30am. I've been up since 2am with my smoke alarm going off constantly! We tried everything and my frustrated hubby went back to bed and covered his head to block out the sound! Even the dog wanted out and continued her blissful sleep outside!

Unfortunately, I couldn't sleep with that loud noise for the next hour or so, climbed up on a kitchen stool every 20mins to press the button to shut it off. It would stay quiet for about 20mins and then back on again. In the meantime, I decided to see if I could get some online help and found this site.

Thanks for all the tips. I was surprised but gratified to find others have experienced this too and what would you know? Most of the problems were at night. Murphy's Law! Then to annoy me further, the TV started an alarm test!

Anyway, I didn't have a can of air handy, (which I will now get) so I opened the windows for a bit and tried some of the other suggestions until on one of my trips back from the detector to bed, I noticed the thermostat battery in the living room was low so the heat was not on in that part of the house. I changed the battery and voila! silence!! I've waited 30 minutes and no more alarm so I guess I can sleep now, for all of 2 hours before have to be up.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful tips when my 'support system' here bailed out on me!

By 01/01/2011

All smoke/carbon alarms are designed to only last for 10 years, after 10 years or after a fire, they need to be replaced with new ones. If you burn a fireplace, they need to be changed out more often.

Sounds like the sensor is going out, and when the HVAC system comes on, it creates enough air current to remove dust or debris on it.

I am a fire fighter, and one of our biggest issues is people think they are good for a lifetime. They aren't.

By 12/31/2010

You might try changing all batteries if you haven't already. Also check the breaker for the smoke detectors, make sure it isn't tripped if not turn breaker off and check all wires to that circuit be sure they are tight. We have the same type of system when we change the batteries when turn the breaker off and than change the batteries and then turn it back on it resets the system. If it is only one detector chirping the problem with be with that detector and not the whole system. Hope this helps!

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Questions

Here are questions related to Smoke Detector Problem.

Smoke Alarm Keeps Going Off Randomly

We live in a basement apartment. We've lived here for over a year. Recently our smoke alarm has been going off randomly all hours of the night. It's hardwired to the building.

When we first moved in it was not connected and in a closet (we're thinking that's why it was in there). We've cleaned it over 4 times with the vacuum and even a damp cloth. We've told the landlords and they claim it's humidity!

We are so tired of hearing that. So we had the windows open all day and night and still it's going off! We don't smoke and haven't been using the oven. Oh, and we also bought a second smoke alarm (which is in our baby's room, the warmest of all and the window is never open) and it never goes off as it's working properly. Others above us on the third and second floor also have their alarms go off at crazy hours.

Please help. I hate the sound, it drives me nuts and we can't unplug it as we could get fined. So far we're freezing and it's still going off.

By Katelyne

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Most Recent Answer

By Anonymous09/28/2012

Since you mention that you live in an apartment then you need to notify your landlord and insist that it be repaired/replaced. If the landlord won't co-operate then report him/her to your city/county code enforcement department because it is against the law everywhere that there must be a working smoke detector for residential rental property.

Smoke Detector Problem

My smoke alarm is connected to electric supply and has started going off for no reason at all the last few days. I can not open it as it needs a special key which I was not supplied with. It is about 8 years old. It has a back up battery so I can't turn it off. It is driving my dog potty and I'll soon join her if it continues.

Dorothy

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I would call the manufacturer or take them back to the store where you bought them. It sounds defective to me. (09/16/2004)

By kimmcg

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Try checking for spiderwebs or dust inside the alarms......give them a good dusting and/or vacuum them thoroughly. That was what set mine off......hope it is the answer to yours! (09/16/2004)

By Donna

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I had the same problem when my air conditioner went in for service during a really humid week. The humidity was setting off my smoke detectors. Once the air in my house became dryer, the problem with the smoke detectors ceased. (09/16/2004)

By Leann2

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I had that problem at an apartment I was renting - because they were hardwired if the power surged/blinked or otherwise cut out, they would go off. You might want to check with the local power company to see if there have been problems in your area before you take them down and return them - might just be that. (09/17/2004)

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Your battery needs to be changed. As for the key, try to find someone or a store that sells them to get you one so you can open it and change the battery. (11/03/2005)

By Michele

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

it is probably the battery has gone dead and it is alerting you to that fact. (11/04/2005)

By sandy

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

find the model # and brand name and do a search for the company. The have customer service that could give you key info, and why their 'going off'

Mine was dust and spiders, vacuum smoke detectors monthly with your wand attachment (11/04/2005)

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

The most common type of smoke detector is the ionization type. It is also the most unreliable type of detector. It works of off radioactive material which ionizes the air creating a current. When any particle disrupt the current flow, it sounds resulting in many false alarms and poor overall detection. Too often, heat from a fire melts the detector before smoke density is dense enough to activate the alarm in a real fire. The best detection is a combination of heat detectors for the major areas where smoke detectors can not be placed, and photo electric smoke detectors in areas where smoke detectors should be placed. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about your alarms or wish to find out more about better protection for your family. debusgh @ kci.net (remove spaces) (12/28/2005)

By Greg Debus

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I have a smoke detector hard wired for 5 years, started beeping 2 to 3 times a day, changed battery,same, now installed new detector. The new detector beeps 4 times about 2 to 3 time a day same as the old one. This is the only one out of 10 that does this. (02/07/2006)

By Ken

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I had replaced all the batteries in my 7 bedroom home to no avail. Then I came to this forum and read about dust and spiderwebs and vacuumed the detectors. IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM! (01/26/2007)

By Charlie

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I was concerned with some of my hard wired alarms and so I phoned the fire department to inspect them. They gave me a lot of helpful info along with a free battery operated detector! Give them a call. (01/26/2007)

By cjbisco

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I installed central vac in my home 10 years ago. Whenever we vacuum on the main floor, smoke detectors go off after a few minutes. When vaccuming in the basement, no problem. Just today they started beeping at random. Think it is time to clean or replace. (02/09/2007)

By Bob C

Smoke Detector Problem

I have a smoke detector problem. It keeps beeping off and on. I changed the batteries and it still will beep off and on. Help please!

Lloyd from Round Rock, TX

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Dust it! (11/07/2007)

By shook

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Trying cleaning them with pressurized air or a vacuum. (03/05/2008)

By Steve

Smoke Detector Problem

I have 4 electronic smoke detectors with battery backup on the same line. One detector beeps every 50 seconds non stop. I have already done the following: changed batteries, replaced with new detectors.

Even the new detector with new battery beeps every 50 seconds. So, it does not appear to be a problem of dust, battery, or new equipment. Where do I go from here?

Ty from Chico, CA

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Try taking the battery out, then put it back in & press the test button. It should beep back at you two times. If it doesn't, press the test button again. You may have to do this with every one that is hard-wired together. (03/18/2008)

By Boogz

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Changed batteries and smoke alarm is still chirping? Check to make sure you're using alkaline batteries. This happened with us. We bought the cheaper 9 volt battery, replaced the old battery and the blasted alarm still chirped for hours on end! Then realized it needed alkaline 9-volt. (07/18/2008)

By Mark

Smoke Detector Problem

My husband bought a new smoke alarm about a year or two ago. I can't find the instructions that came with it. Last night it started 'beeping' and when he pushed on the button to silence it the noise stopped. But now the little green light is on all the time and I don't think it was on all the time before.

I do remember at different times a little red light would flash off and on for a minute or so, but that was to let us know it was working or something. I can't see what kind it is so that's not much help. Is there anyone who has one similar and knows what to do?

Gelene from FL

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Turn off the power to the smoke alarm at the circuit breaker. Remove the smoke alarm from the mounting bracket and disconnect the power. Remove the battery, and press and hold the test button for at least 15 seconds. The unit may chirp or alarm for a few seconds before going silent. Reconnect the power and reinstall the battery. The unit will chirp once when the power is restored and should not chirp afterward. (09/05/2008)

By boreasrex

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

I followed the advice of boreasrex and it worked perfectly. Thanks! (11/22/2008)

By Ron C

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Just make sure you don't have the same crazy issue as I did. Woke up at 4am to the sound of a chirp. I had heard this chirping before from the smoke detectors whenever they wanted a new battery. After making a run to the grocery store at 5:20am, paying almost $6 for two Duracell 9volts, going to the manufacturers website, checking this forum and shutting down the power to all detectors to remove the batteries, I finally decided to try the vacuum. When I coincidentally went to plug it in to one of the many power outlets, I noticed the LED on the carbon monoxide detector was blinking; there was the actual problem. (12/17/2008)

By wtw94

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Followed boreasrex's advice and so far so good. Thanks! (01/15/2009)

By heather

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Thank you wtw94! We changed the battery in the smoke alarm, and we thought it was that that was continually chirping. I had bought a carbon monoxide detector, had put the battery in it, but never plugged it in. It was laying near the smoke alarm, but when I listened to it, that was what was chirping! I didn't think I had activated it yet, but the battery had, I guess. Anyway, we were about to buy a new smoke detector. I'm so glad I checked the carbon monoxide detector. Thank you! (02/24/2009)

By June

RE: Smoke Detector Problem

Thank you, Boreasrex! My alarm has been going off since 2:30 this morning (it's now 10:30!), it was, needless to say, driving me mad! I found this post, disconnected power etc., and now it's blissful silence! I might go to bed now. Thanks again! (07/13/2009)

By stephknee