Why is my Smoke Alarm beeping?
When your smoke alarm emits that unmistakable beep, it’s not just a nuisance—it’s a signal demanding your attention, so please don’t ignore it.
Your safety is the number one priority, so it’s important to investigate these alerts now to ensure your smoke alarms are working properly to protect you in the future should a fire occur. This article is here to guide you through troubleshooting potential causes of your false alarms.
However, if the beeping persists despite your efforts, it’s important to contact your landlord, property manager or local smoke alarm specialist such as Coast Smoke Alarms, for urgent assistance.
What causes a false-alarm?
Understanding why your smoke alarm is beeping without an apparent reason is the first step towards resolving the issue. There could be several underlying reasons behind these unexpected triggers:
A build-up of dust
Dust, debris, pet hair and other contaminants can build up inside and around a smoke alarm interfering with its operation triggering false alarms. Gently vacuum 360 degrees around your smoke alarms with a soft brush attachment to clear any contaminants that may be the cause of the beeping. To avoid these issues, do this at least every 6 months. You can follow our cleaning instructions here.
Bugs or insects inside the alarm
When insects get inside your smoke alarm it can disrupt the internal sensors causing it to trigger. Keeping your smoke alarms clean and bug free with a vacuum cleaner will reduce this risk. You can also spray insect repellent on a cloth and wipe the ceiling around the smoke alarm. Never spray insect repellent directly into the smoke alarm as this will cause it to trigger.
Battery is running low
Smoke alarms can beep when they have a low or faulty battery. If your property still has 9v battery alarms this is a sign you need to replace the 9v battery urgently. If you have been upgraded to the new QLD legislation and have interconnected alarms a mains-powered alarm chirping may be a sign that the alarm is not correctly connected to the mains power and is using the 9v back up battery as a power source. Contact a local electrician or smoke alarm specialist, never attempt to check wiring yourself.
Humidity levels are too high
While beeping smoke alarms can be annoying, avoid the urge to remove or disable your smoke alarms as this leaves you incredibly vulnerable to potential fires. It’s important that you take the time to address and fix the underlying cause of the false alarms to ensure your smoke alarms are actively working to protect you and your loved ones.
Working smoke alarms are you first line of defence in an emergency and provide precious time for you to escape during a fire.
Remember, if you encounter persistent beeping or issues with your smoke alarms despite troubleshooting, do not delay – seek professional assistance as soon as you can. The expert team here at Coast Smoke Alarms is always here to help, reach out to the team by giving us a call on 1300 722 552 or via email admin@coastsmokealarms.com.au
