3 Reasons Your Fire Alarm Might Be Beeping

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

The most common reason for a fire alarm to beep is because the battery is running low or not installed correctly.

Three Reasons Why Your Fire Alarm Is Beeping

A chirping smoke alarm in your Scottsdale, AZ, home is an annoyance. However, you never want to ignore the beeping because your alarm either needs some maintenance or something is causing it to malfunction. Here are three reasons your fire alarm might be beeping. 

1. Environmental Conditions
If your alarm continually beeps, despite your efforts to stop the noise, try moving it. Residential alarms aren't made to withstand excessive levels of steam, condensation, or humidity. Place the alarm in an area away from an HVAC register or ceiling fan to keep unnecessary air movement from interfering with the alarm's sensors. Avoid placing the alarm in a room with large temperature fluctuations. Smoke alarms work best when the room is between 40 degrees and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If the alarm sustained smoke damage from a fire, always replace it instead of reusing it. 

2. Old Fire Alarm
Smoke alarms are rated to last for seven to 10 years. So, if your alarm won't stop beeping, you could need to replace it. Every alarm has a date code stamped on the back that tells you when it was manufactured. It's essential to replace old alarms instead of continuing to use them. After some time, the alarm could stop working without you realizing it, and it wouldn't alert you if a fire happened. You could then face tremendous fire damage and hefty fees from fire restoration specialists. 

3. Battery Problems
The most common reason for a fire alarm to beep is because the battery is running low or not installed correctly. If you've changed the battery and still hear a chirp, verify that you're using the correct type of battery for your alarm and that it is firmly snapped into place. Close the battery door and ensure that you hear a click telling you it is closed completely. 

When you place alarms in the right spots, keep the batteries changed, and replace them as necessary, smoke alarms are always a valuable tool to have on hand.