Taking the battery out of a smoke alarm will not make it stop beeping. Even after the battery has died, the detector maintains a residual charge that will keep the chirp going for at least seven days.
If you have changed the batteries and tried the circuit breaker, but the beeping persists, you may need to try resetting the detector(s): Use the reset button: most smoke detectors have a red reset button. Hold the reset button down for approximately 15-20 seconds.
Ensure that your alarm is not expired and in need of replacement. Note: removing the battery or unplugging the alarm will not stop a low-battery chirp.
Most battery powered smoke detectors will beep for a minimum of 30 days before the battery dies. You'll know the battery is losing charge if you hear consistent beeping every 30 to 60 seconds.
Chirping every 30-40 seconds is generally an indication that the battery is running low. If your smoke or heat alarm has a replaceable battery, try replacing the battery with a brand new one. It is recommended to change the batteries in your smoke and heat alarms every 12 months.
The "HUSH" feature has the capability to temporarily desensitize the smoke alarm circuit for approximately 7 minutes. This feature is to be used only when a known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking, activates the alarm. The smoke alarm is desensitized by pushing the "HUSH" button on the smoke alarm cover.
It's a sound many homeowners have heard: the 3 a.m. alarm chirp. Why does it happen? Well, it's a simple matter of the battery's charge level and a home's air temperature. As a smoke alarm's battery nears the end of its life, the amount of power it produces causes an internal resistance.
Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. It can take a few seconds to begin, but a loud, ear-piercing siren should emanate from the smoke detector while the button is pressed. If the sound is weak or nonexistent, replace your batteries.
The most likely reason smoke detectors go off unexpectedly is that people aren't changing the batteries in them often enough. In most sensors you might think of, the strength of the signal goes up when they detect what they're supposed to. Common causes of smoke detector false positives around the house.
Most hard-wired smoke detectors include a 9-volt backup battery that's supposed to kick in if your home loses electricity. If that battery is running low, your detector alerts you with a high-pitched beep.
This is because your smoke alarm is very sensitive to potential signs of a dangerous fire. You can temporarily disable your alarm by pressing the reset button, removing the battery, or by checking your circuit breaker or fire control panel on more complicated systems.
A solid green light on your smoke detector indicates that the device is on and operating normally.
Many carbon monoxide and smoke detectors come with a “Hush” feature, which will stop the beeping for 72 hours. To silence the beeping, press and hold the “Hush” or “Test” button. The system will chirp to let you know the command is accepted, and you will have 72 before it begins again.
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.
The alarm may need to be replaced.
The smoke detector itself, and not its battery, might require replacement to stop smoke alarm warnings. Most manufacturers design their products to last for about 10 years. After a decade of service, some of the alarm's components may no longer function properly.
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.
Many people consider it a difficult job to do. Most people ask themselves, “can I remove a hardwired smoke detector?” The answer is you can！ If you have to stop the hard-wired smoke detectors from beeping, you must unplug them from the clip and remove the battery.
You can also use real smoke to test the smoke sensor. To do this, light two or three matches, and hold them together a few feet underneath the detector. The smoke from the matches should cause the alarm to sound if the detector is functioning properly. If it doesn't sound, replace the detector immediately.
Testing and Changing Your Fire Alarm Battery
If your smoke alarms are powered by a nine-volt battery, the battery should be replaced every 6 months, while the alarm itself should be replaced once every 10 years. For 10-year lithium-powered fire detectors, you won't need to replace the battery.