Smoke Alarm Beeping – Why your smoke alarm is beeping Every 20 seconds
Smoke Alarm Beeping – Why your smoke alarm is beeping Every 20 seconds
Have you just got comfortable in bed and ready to fall asleep, then you here a BEEP or a CHIRP every 30 to 60 seconds, yes its your smoke alarm telling you there is an issue. Let’s not get confused between a beep or when your smoke detector sounds an alarm. There is a huge difference between the both and unless its a loud constant screeching noise then you will be safe for now. Please remember “Before using the alarm silence button or assuming there are no fires, identify that a source of smoke is not present and certain that safe conditions exist”.
Smoke Alarm changing a battery
Smoke Alarm changing a battery
The chirping or beeping some people my explain coming from your smoke alarm is letting you know there are a couple of conditions that you may have to deal with. This trouble shooting guide will help you determine the reason why your smoke alarm is beeping.
Firstly if your smoke alarm has been triggered into alarm by burning toast or cooking smells and then you push the hush button to disarm the detector, then after it stops alarming the smoke alarm will be going though a cycle to reset itself and will chirp for 5 minuets every 30 to 60 seconds.
All 240 volt smoke alarms have a battery back up. Smoke alarms are usually wired on different circuits in a property and you may have not noticed that 240 volt power has been interrupted on your smoke alarm. To be certain you will find a green LED light indicator that should constantly be on and not flashing at any time. If there is no green light inductor glowing then you have a power failure at the unit and the 9 DC volt battery is in use.
We can replace your smoke alarm batteries for all models
You will notice a second LED on your smoke alarm in Red, the red LED light indicates normal operating condition when it flashes once every 40 seconds. If the red LED inductor remains on at all times and dose not flash every 40 seconds then there is a problem with you smoke alarm as this indicates it is in alarm mode and there is no alarm noise from the detector.
If you smoke alarm is over 5 years old and has not had scheduled maintenance, dust buildup around the smoke alarm may also interfere with smoke alarm performance and reliability and possibly cause chirping.
Smoke alarms have a low battery indicator in them and when you battery is low an audible “chirp or beep”will occur every 30 to 40 seconds.
If you change your battery and chirping still exists, is the smoke alarm in “Hush Mode”? you may have pressed the hush button accidentally or the battery terminals are not be making contact properly and your smoke alarm will need to be services. Most good quality smoke alarms only allow you to insert the 9 volt DC battery one way so there is no mistake. Smoke alarm battery’s need to be replaced every year.
Make certain that the battery tag has been cleared and nothing obstructing the battery . Use only a new battery from an sealed package, and find instructions that show the right battery is used in the specification list in the manual.
Is your smoke alarm battery operated only or mains powered
The interesting point that really confuses people with smoke alarms beeping is when they beep, you will notice that your smoke alarm will tend to beep more often during cooler temperature’s at night than during the day, most smoke alarms have been designed to do this since most people are home at night to alert them, than during the day.
If the tips above still have not resolved you smoke alarm beeping problem, it possible your smoke detector has retched its life’s span and will need to be replaced.Change your battery every year
Change your battery every year and test your smoke alarm
Chirping-Smoke-Alarm-Battery-Cover
There are a number of smoke detectors available today so replacing a smoke alarm battery can be tricky. We have provided a video of a more common unit. Other brands and different maintenance technique include…..
Most come in a variety of either photoelectric or ionization models
United Electrical Services provide a reliable smoke alarm maintenance program to suit your budget needs and are happy to answer any questions you have about your smoke alarm, or if you simply would like to book an appointment you can contact us on 03 8361 5889 or email us at info@unitedelectricalservices.com.au
Licensed Electrician in Melbourne, Registered Electrical Contractor. Currently servicing Melbourne and surrounding suburbs I've been working actively in the electrical industry for 30 years and registered with Energy Safe Victoria.
Smoke alarm installation , testing , maintenance and inspection
Provider Name
United Electrical Group,
60 Eirine St Yarraville,Melbourne,Victoria-3013, Telephone No.0383615889
Area
Greater Melbourne
Description
United Electrical Services provide a reliable smoke alarm maintenance program to suit your budget needs
Author: Stephen Skec
Licensed Electrician in Melbourne, Registered Electrical Contractor. Currently servicing Melbourne and surrounding suburbs I've been working actively in the electrical industry for 30 years and registered with Energy Safe Victoria.
View all posts by Stephen Skec
9 thoughts on “Smoke Alarm Beeping – Why your smoke alarm is beeping Every 20 seconds”
Good article! this has helped find issues with our smoke alarm, we will need you guys to make an appoint soon once we have our lighting come in and service the alarms.
Great troubleshooting guide. I was about to call an electrician as I just couldn’t figure out why the beeping wouldn’t stop even after trying 3 different types of (brand new) batteries. Read about the hush button and tried again – success! – even here in Scotland.
Hi Stephen
thank you for your post, are there any smoke alarms available that are rechargeable. Our parents are too old to get up on a ladder changing battery’s and we a looking for another alternative of possibly moving them in a different location.
Its 2:15am and the alarm outside our bedroom was chirping every 30 odd seconds. Woke me up – which is probably a good thing – but then I knew something had to be done before I could go back to sleep! Your article is a beauty! I didn’t even know hard wired detectors even had batteries! Thanks heaps for your article.
thank you for your question, you can try this three step process, 1 – remove the battery from the alarm, 2 – The smoke alarm is now disconnected from both the battery and mains powered source. 3 – Using two hands hold and press the test button for 30 seconds then let go. Install the battery back to it original position and clip the alarm back into place so that its connected to the power mains. You can also view the you-tube video for this post. See how you go.
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Good article! this has helped find issues with our smoke alarm, we will need you guys to make an appoint soon once we have our lighting come in and service the alarms.
Its the time of year for smoke alarm battery’s to be changed, change your clock change your battery.
Great troubleshooting guide. I was about to call an electrician as I just couldn’t figure out why the beeping wouldn’t stop even after trying 3 different types of (brand new) batteries. Read about the hush button and tried again – success! – even here in Scotland.
Hi Stephen
thank you for your post, are there any smoke alarms available that are rechargeable. Our parents are too old to get up on a ladder changing battery’s and we a looking for another alternative of possibly moving them in a different location.
Its 2:15am and the alarm outside our bedroom was chirping every 30 odd seconds. Woke me up – which is probably a good thing – but then I knew something had to be done before I could go back to sleep! Your article is a beauty! I didn’t even know hard wired detectors even had batteries! Thanks heaps for your article.
Hi we have changed the battery on our smoke alarm and its still making a beeping noise. Do you have any ideas please ?
Hi Chrissie
thank you for your question, you can try this three step process, 1 – remove the battery from the alarm, 2 – The smoke alarm is now disconnected from both the battery and mains powered source. 3 – Using two hands hold and press the test button for 30 seconds then let go. Install the battery back to it original position and clip the alarm back into place so that its connected to the power mains. You can also view the you-tube video for this post. See how you go.