Why Does My Smoke Alarm Keep Going Off?

When the smoke alarm sounds without any smoke or fire present then this means that there is an issue with the detector. Below are some of the main reasons why the smoke alarm going off randomly might be happening:

Low Battery

The battery of the smoke detector should be changed with a new one every 6 months. It is highly recommended to do this to ensure that the smoke detector is operating properly and can alert of a house fire. Sometimes the battery may be defective which is why it also may be causing the smoke alarm to go off when it should not be. 

Location

The place where the smoke alarm is installed can influence if it goes off when it should not be. This means when installing the smoke detector too close to the kitchen or bathroom areas. The smoke alarm detects smoke or similar gases and air particles to cause the system to sound. The steam from the hot shower to the food cooking on the stove can easily cause the alarm to chirp.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds can be found in paint and other types of chemical treatments and can lead to the smoke alarm to beep. These can sometimes interfere with the smoke detector and can cause the alarm to ring when it should not be.

Obstructions

When smoke detectors beep with no real reason it may be due to an obstruction inside of the alarm. This can range from the pull tab on the battery which can stop the detector from properly running. Other objects that could be causing the alarm to sound could be debris or insects that block the battery or parts. Checking to see if there are any objects inside the smoke alarm can help determine if that is causing the beeping to occur. 

Battery Life

Sometimes the main reason why the smoke alarm sounds is that it is at the end of its lifetime. Most domestic smoke alarms have a lifespan of 10 years and will often need replacing after the 10 years have passed. The smoke alarm going off often indicates the system telling that it needs to be replaced. This sound is often different from the regular smoke alarm ring and it is important to replace the system as soon as possible. 

Dirt

A dirty smoke detector can cause the system to beep as it can disrupt the internal sensors. Dirt or debris outside the smoke detector can also disrupt the detector and external sensors. Cleaning the outside and inside of the smoke detector regularly can help avoid this issue. If the area that the smoke alarm is located in is prone to dust or moisture then relocating the alarm might be needed.

When the smoke alarm is beeping there are many ways to fix the device from continually beeping or ringing:

• Replacing the batteries is a good way to start as the batteries might be low and causing the system to sound
• Resetting the system may help with stopping the beeping of the smoke detector. Following the manual to exactly how to reset the alarm is needed as there are different smoke detectors
• Cleaning the insides and outsides of the smoke detector can be helpful in ensuring the system functions correctly
• Removing any obstructions in the smoke alarm that might be causing the system to sound can ensure the device stops beeping

If curious to know about the different types of smoke alarms we highly recommend reading our blog for further information.