Wednesday 13th December 2023
Is your smoke alarm beeping in the night and keeping you awake, or disturbing your day? Whether you have mains powered, interlinked smoke alarms, or battery powered smoke alarms, follow our guidance below to troubleshoot the beeping.
What sound is your smoke alarm making?
- Smoke alarm is sounding continuously
- Smoke alarm is beeping intermittently
- Wired smoke alarm is beeping intermittently
Smoke alarm sounding continuously
- First check there is no smoke or fire in your property
- Make sure the beeping is definitely coming from your smoke alarm. Other alarms in the property such as a carbon monoxide alarm or burglar alarm could be responsible for the noise.
- Clean the alarm if it is dusty or dirty. Vacuum around the alarm or use a hairdryer to blow out dust on a cool setting.
- Check the replace by or manufacture date on your alarm. Smoke alarms usually last for a maximum of 10 years, so if the manufacturing date is approaching 10 years or more than 10 years, it’s time to get a new smoke alarm. Sensors inside the alarm deteriorate after this time causing the alarm to be less effective.
- Check the position of your alarm. There are different types of smoke alarm suitable for specific locations in your home. Find out more below about positioning your alarm.
- Your smoke alarm may be damaged or have developed a fault. Exposure to water, fire, grease and certain types of paint can cause a fault to develop. If there is a fault, replace your smoke alarm immediately to protect your home and family.
Smoke alarm chirping intermittently
- Replace the battery* in your smoke alarm. 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. Smoke alarms usually last for a maximum of 10 years, so if the manufacturing date is approaching 10 years or more than 10 years, it’s time to get a new smoke alarm. Sensors inside the alarm deteriorate after this time causing the alarm to be less effective.
- Your smoke alarm may be damaged or have developed a fault. Exposure to water, fire, grease and certain types of paint can cause a fault to develop. If you suspect a fault, replace your smoke alarm immediately to protect your home and family.
How to stop wired alarm chirping intermittently
* All new or recently extended homes should have mains powered, interlinked alarms fitted which also have a back-up battery. Intermittent chirping in mains-powered alarms is often caused by low power in the back-up battery.
Replacement batteries for smoke alarms
Smoke alarms usually require either Alkaline AA batteries, an Alkaline 9V battery or a Lithium 9V battery. Buy replacement smoke alarm batteries as soon as possible to ensure that your family would be alerted to a fire in your home.
Mains powered smoke alarm need replacing?
Whether your smoke alarms are mains powered or battery powered, they should be replaced after 10 years due to a deterioration of the sensors. Battery alarms are easily changed and installed, but how do you replace a mains powered alarm? Most mains powered alarms can be replaced without the need for an electrician if you purchase the exact same model, if still available, or an Easichange® replacement where applicable.
Discontinued smoke alarm need replacing?
If you need to purchase a replacement alarm, but find that your existing model has been discontinued, we have a dedicated collection of replacement smoke and heat alarms. This range consists of models specifically chosen to be the simplest, most direct replacement alarms that can often be installed without the need for an electrician.
Related help guides:
- Why Should Smoke Alarms be Replaced After 10 Years?
- Identify Discontinued BRK 600 and 700 Series Smoke Alarms & Suitable Replacements
- How to Replace Discontinued BRK 660MBX, 670MBX, and 690MBX Smoke & Heat Alarms
- Help With an Ei / Aico Mains Powered Smoke or Heat Alarm
Preventing false alarms
The type of sensor an alarm has determines where it should be positioned in the home. False alarms may be due to the wrong alarm type being used in or near a steamy, dusty or smoky environment.
- Heat alarms are more suited to areas such as the kitchen or garage that are often smoky or dusty. Other types of sensors would be prone to false alarms in these areas.
- Optical smoke alarms are ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and ground floor hallways.
To avoid causing false alarms or affecting the performance of an alarm, it is good practice to avoid installing alarms in the following locations:
- Next to a door, window, air vent or fan that would create a draft
- Outside
- Anywhere that airflow would be obstructed by curtains or furniture
- Locations that are steamy or humid such as a shower room
Find out more about positioning your smoke alarm in your home or take a look at our help guides for more information about types of alarm sensor.
Always ensure you act as quickly as possible to change or replace a defective smoke alarm to keep your home and family safe. If you require any further assistance, contact our customer service team on 0800 612 6537 or email support@safelincs.co.uk.
