What does it mean? This is the power indicator light: First Alert and BRK alarms have a power indicator light to show you that your alarm is receiving power. Some alarms have a red or green light that blinks every few minutes, while other models blink rapidly or shine a solid light.
This smoke alarm is equipped with red and green LED indicators. The green LED (when illuminated) indicates the presence of AC power. The red LED has four modes of operation: Standby Condition: The red LED will flash every 30-40 seconds to indicate that the smoke alarm is operating properly.
Your alarm manufacturer may have included a blinking red light to let you know it's time to test the alarm again. The Batteries are Low: Usually accompanied by a loud beep, a blinking red light could mean the batteries in the unit are low. Consider adding fresh batteries and running a test to make sure it's working.
For most residential smoke detectors, blinks are common; you need to be conversant with the colors showing. Different smoke alarms use the green and red LED to indicate the device's power status such that a flashing green means low battery while a constant blink means AC power is connected.
A flashing green light means that the smoke detector is getting the right amount of power supply. Basically, the green light indicates that the smoke detector is active. Red Light: The red light can indicate more than just an emergency threat. Your smoke detector blinking red could mean more than one thing.
Low Battery
As the battery in a smoke alarm gets weak, the smoke alarm will “chirp” about once a minute to let you know that the battery needs to be replaced. Note: Only the device with a low battery will chirp. The other interconnected alarms should be silent.
A blinking red light on a smoke detector is rarely cause for alarm. Instead, it usually means that the battery is low, or the detector is in need of a minor repair. If you notice a blinking red light, replace the battery first – but only if you're sure that it's still good.
On First Alert carbon monoxide alarms, the red light flashes to show the CO alarm is properly receiving battery power. If you do not see the red light flashing, change the batteries in the alarm immediately.
This battery characteristic can cause a smoke alarm to enter the low battery chirp mode when air temperatures drop. Most homes are the coolest between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. That's why the alarm may sound a low-battery chirp in the middle of the night, and then stop when the home warms up a few degrees.
What happens if your smoke alarm is flashing red? If it flashes every 40-60 seconds, this means that it is functioning properly. However, some models it may be that it is not working.
If you want to manually reset the smoke detector so that the red blinking light will stop, you can press the test/silence button for a few seconds. If your device includes a keypad press “*72” or if your smoke detector is hardwired, look for a reset button to push and hold for 20 seconds.
Types of Smoke Detectors. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential safety equipment for your home. Smoke alarms sound an alarm when they sense the presence of smoke particles in the air, while carbon monoxide detectors sound an alarm when toxic levels of the invisible and odorless gas are detected.
The Signs Which Indicate Your Smoke Detector May Be Failing (or Has Failed!) The smoke detector is intermittently going off for no reason. Random chirping, even after replacing the battery. The test button fails to operate the siren on the smoke detector.
Dust, Dirt and Environmental Smoke
Dust and dirt that comes from activities like remodeling may set off your smoke alarms. To clean your smoke alarm, open it up carefully, and look inside for dust or dirt. Use a vacuum attachment or electronic aerosol cleaner to remove dust particles.
Power interruptions are common in areas where utility companies switch grids in the early hours of the morning. In AC or AC/DC smoke alarms, a loose hot wire connection can also disconnect power to the smoke alarm. The effect is the same as a power failure. When power is restored, the units may alarm briefly.
A carbon monoxide detector is a must for any home and just as important as a smoke detector. CO detectors should be placed near all bedrooms; they're the only way you will know if carbon monoxide is affecting the air quality in your home, and can help prevent serious illness and even death.
How to test your carbon monoxide detector to ensure they are working properly? It is important to test your detectors monthly to ensure they are working properly. To test your CO alarms, press and hold the test button on the alarm. The detector will sound 4 beeps, a pause, then 4 beeps for 5-6 seconds.
The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the Test/Hush button on the smoke alarm cover. If the smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence immediately and the red LED blinks every 10 seconds. This indicates that the alarm is in a temporarily desensitized condition.
If your detector or alarm has a blinking or steady light with no audible alarm sound, this typically indicates that the unit is receiving power.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends changing the batteries in your smoke alarm every 6 months.
It's time to change the battery
Low batteries are the most common reason smoke detectors beep or send a trouble signal to your security panel, when there is no smoke or fire. As the battery weakens, the device will beep regularly to let you know it's time to replace it.
It also reinforces the advice to replace alarms every 10 years. Once a 10-year battery fails, the whole device needs to be replaced. When detectors are about that old or older, replace them all at the same time.
Smoke alarms alert you with three beeps in a row. Carbon monoxide alarms alert you with four beeps. A single chirp means the battery is low or the detector should be replaced.