Smoke Alarm or CO Malfunction

[REDCART]

I searched TOTV but did not find a similar issue. At 2 am all of our 4 smoke and 2 CO alarms went off simultaneously. Six alarms in the middle of the night is unnerving. There was no fire, and our home is all electric, so no likely source of CO. I went from room to room removing the detectors from the wall. When I removed the last CO detector, it caused the remaining alarms to go silent, so I’ll assume that particular CO detector was the cause of our false alarm. Getting on a ladder in the middle of the night is never fun. I also wonder if we were away would the alarms sound indefinitely.

Our home was built in 2015, which makes our CO detectors likely candidates for replacement. I’m also going to replace the smoke alarms while I have the ladder out.

Anyone else have a similar false alarm experience? I’ve had expired CO detectors beep at the end of their useful life but I’ve never had a false alarm like this in my experience.

[retiredguy123]

The system is designed so that all of the alarms will sound when smoke or CO is detected on any of them. You can silence them by pressing and holding the test button. If the alarm goes off, the system will continue to sound an alarm as long as there is smoke or CO detected. If you just have a weak back up battery, only the unit with the weak battery will beep every 15 seconds or so, until you replace the battery. It will continue the beeping even if you remove the battery, but do not replace it. If a unit is defective, it should give 3 short beeps every 15 seconds until you replace the unit. It sounds like you may have a defective unit, but it may not have signaled as such with the 3 beep notification.

[DAVES]

I searched TOTV but did not find a similar issue. At 2 am all of our 4 smoke and 2 CO alarms went off simultaneously. Six alarms in the middle of the night is unnerving. There was no fire, and our home is all electric, so no likely source of CO. I went from room to room removing the detectors from the wall. When I removed the last CO detector, it caused the remaining alarms to go silent, so I’ll assume that particular CO detector was the cause of our false alarm. Getting on a ladder in the middle of the night is never fun. I also wonder if we were away would the alarms sound indefinitely.

Our home was built in 2015, which makes our CO detectors likely candidates for replacement. I’m also going to replace the smoke alarms while I have the ladder out.

Anyone else have a similar false alarm experience? I’ve had expired CO detectors beep at the end of their useful life but I’ve never had a false alarm like this in my experience.

As you seem to know the life of the carbon-monoxide tester is shorter than the smoke detectors. I don't recall but easy to look up. The beep pattern tells you if it is the battery or the device. Ours failed in only two years. I first replaced one and shortly after the other one failed. So you choosing to replace both is smart.

Like most of this stuff, I'm sure the people who design them are sick. They always choose to fail at the most inconvenient time. Sort of like robo calls when you are mixing five minute epoxi.

If, you buy the same one that has failed, in our case First alert, it is a simple plug in and
a twist using the already there screws. Be sure to remove the battery from the old unit.
Ours went off in the trash bag, bothering neighbor.

[villagetinker]

I agree with replacing all units when the first one fails, these always seem to go at 2 am. As for causing a false alarm that is a new one on me. I would call the manufacturer and complain, who knows they may want the unit for testing.

[dewilson58]

Not sure why my response was deleted.............will type again.

I have seen the units last 2 to 15 years.
Sometimes it's just a luck of the draw.
Lowe's sells them by the bulk.

Personal choice, replace one at a time for fun.....or replace them all.

(Praying for a non-delete) :shocked:

[Bilyclub]

The combo models in my house only had a 5 year warranty and started failing at 7 years. I replaced the First Alert detectors with FireX ones which I have found more reliable.

[Topspinmo]

I never had problem with them except when batteries get low. None of mine have never when off without detecting kitchen cooking smoke. I would not buy that brand if I replaced them. I replace mine 3 years ago cause they date was outdated and they was turning yellow. Not heard beep or peep out of mine. I check 9V battery one year with multimeter. So I know if batteries are low or still good.

[rjm1cc]

They do have a limited life. You can unplug them from the electrical circuit if you have to to turn them off.
The unwritten rule, at least at my house, is they only go off late at night.

The rule was just broken. Battery needed to be replaced at 8pm.

[asianthree]

If you contact the company, some units are being replaced for free, due to issues. Our 2012 home smoke alarms did the same in 2017, our home watch suggested contacting manufacturer. 10 days later all but one smoke alarm was replaced for free. It’s worth a 5 minute call

[noslices1]

I have one that is high in my vaulted ceiling. I have replace the battery in it several times and it’s very inconvenient. I went to Lowe’s and they have one that lasts for 10 years with no battery replacement. After that you have to replace it again as the battery is not replaceable. I opted for that, So I have eight more years on that one.

[retiredguy123]

I have one that is high in my vaulted ceiling. I have replace the battery in it several times and it’s very inconvenient. I went to Lowe’s and they have one that lasts for 10 years with no battery replacement. After that you have to replace it again as the battery is not replaceable. I opted for that, So I have eight more years on that one.
You can use lithium batteries in all of your smoke detectors instead of the alkaline type. The lithium ones are supposed to last 10 years.

[captboxcar]

If you have all electric utilities there’s no need for CO detectors.Ten years is the life expectancy for smoke detectors and combination CO/smoke detectors Is 5 to 7 years. That does not mean that they can’t malfunction prior to those times.The detectors are interconnected which means if one gets activated they all will go into alarm. Most hard wired ( supplied by house current) will have a battery back in case of a power failure. A good rule of thumb is to change the battery on every daylight savings to ensure a reliable back up. If battery gets low it will been intermittently continuously for approximately 7 days. Detectors powered by lithium batteries are rated for ten years and are usually sealed units with no option to replace.But as stated earlier detectors should be replaced at 10 years regardless.There are also detectors run by battery only that are wirelessly interconnected to avoid having to run wires through walls and ceilings.

[davephan]

Are the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors connected to your security system or stand alone? It sounds like they are stand alone. Are the detectors powered by AC power or batteries, or both? How old are the detectors?

It’s possible that if one detector trips, all detectors will sound. That’s a poor design, since you don’t know which detectors tripped. If the detectors are close to ten years old, they should be replaced. It’s a different type of detector that’s connected to a security system.

A security system detector has a 2 wire, a 4 wire, and wireless types. Within the wireless type, there are several different types of wireless. A detector that’s connected to your security system is a good idea, because you are then alerted about the event when you are not in your home, if the security system is monitored.

But most people have stand alone detectors. If the detectors are close to ten years old, replace all of them with the ten year battery detectors. If you need to replace one battery, then replace all the detector batteries with ten year lithium batteries. Don’t waste your effort using standard batteries or only replacing on detector battery.

Intermittently beeping detectors are annoying. So, it’s better to be aggressive at fixing the problem, and apply the solution to all the detectors, not just the beeping detector. That will reduce the probability of a reoccurrence.

You also have to keep in mind that there could be a legitimate reason for the beeping. Maybe there’s a carbon monoxide problem. It’s also a good idea to have a digital carbon monoxide detector in each sleeping area. Then if there’s a problem, you know the severity of the problem.

[retiredguy123]

If you have all electric utilities there’s no need for CO detectors.Ten years is the life expectancy for smoke detectors and combination CO/smoke detectors Is 5 to 7 years. That does not mean that they can’t malfunction prior to those times.The detectors are interconnected which means if one gets activated they all will go into alarm. Most hard wired ( supplied by house current) will have a battery back in case of a power failure. A good rule of thumb is to change the battery on every daylight savings to ensure a reliable back up. If battery gets low it will been intermittently continuously for approximately 7 days. Detectors powered by lithium batteries are rated for ten years and are usually sealed units with no option to replace.But as stated earlier detectors should be replaced at 10 years regardless.There are also detectors run by battery only that are wirelessly interconnected to avoid having to run wires through walls and ceilings.
The building code requires a CO detector if it has an attached garage. That is why most all electric houses in The Villages have them.

The building code also requires a sealed 10-year detector to be used if you install it as a stand alone unit that is not connected to the house wiring. But, you can use lithium 9 volt batteries in any detector that is hard wired without using a sealed detector.

[captboxcar]

If you have an issue with a detector nearest the kitchen going into alarm falsely replace it with a photoelectric detector which is less prone to false alarms.There are two types of detectors.Photoelectric types which are better at detecting smoky fires and less prone to false alarms which are recommended outside kitchens and bathrooms with a shower for that reason. Ionization type detectors are better at detecting flaming fires and are more prone to false alarms. In my opinion I would use all photoelectric detectors. Former fire inspector for 31 years.

[retiredguy123]

Are the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors connected to your security system or stand alone? It sounds like they are stand alone. Are the detectors powered by AC power or batteries, or both? How old are the detectors?

It’s possible that if one detector trips, all detectors will sound. That’s a poor design, since you don’t know which detectors tripped. If the detectors are close to ten years old, they should be replaced. It’s a different type of detector that’s connected to a security system.

A security system detector has a 2 wire, a 4 wire, and wireless types. Within the wireless type, there are several different types of wireless. A detector that’s connected to your security system is a good idea, because you are then alerted about the event when you are not in your home, if the security system is monitored.

But most people have stand alone detectors. If the detectors are close to ten years old, replace all of them with the ten year battery detectors. If you need to replace one battery, then replace all the detector batteries with ten year lithium batteries. Don’t waste your effort using standard batteries or only replacing on detector battery.

Intermittently beeping detectors are annoying. So, it’s better to be aggressive at fixing the problem, and apply the solution to all the detectors, not just the beeping detector. That will reduce the probability of a reoccurrence.

You also have to keep in mind that there could be a legitimate reason for the beeping. Maybe there’s a carbon monoxide problem. It’s also a good idea to have a digital carbon monoxide detector in each sleeping area. Then if there’s a problem, you know the severity of the problem.
The building code for many years has required all new construction to have hard wired smoke and CO detectors. If you remodel or need a stand alone detector for a particular reason, it must be a sealed 10 year detector. The Villages houses are constructed using hard wired detectors with a replaceable battery.

[captboxcar]

Beeping detectors are a sign of low battery only. If CO or smoke/fire is detected it will go into alarm.The reason for all detectors to sound after one goes into alarm is to notify all residents in the home of regardless of initial alarm area. Some people have hearing problems or sleep very soundly and might not hear the alarm from the detector initially sounding especially in homes with basements and multiple floors.

[captboxcar]

With wireless interconnected detectors each detector is programmed by assigning a specific area in the home such as MBR , BR #2,LR,hallway. Upon activation it will activate a voice alarm telling you the location and type CO or fire from all detectors

[Villagesgal]

Mine all went off blaring loudly while on vacation. I have no idea how long they were going off. You could hear it out on the street and on the golf course, not one person called 911 or the Villages to report it. I got out of the airport van at 11pm and heard it right away. My immediate neighbors are snowbirds so not home. I got on a ladder and disconnected all, went to bed, bought all new the next day and reinstalled, was told 10 years is max, they were up 18 years. They are inexpensive so I'll be replacing every 7 years from now on.

[dadoiron]

If you have all electric utilities there’s no need for CO detectors.Ten years is the life expectancy for smoke detectors and combination CO/smoke detectors Is 5 to 7 years. That does not mean that they can’t malfunction prior to those times.The detectors are interconnected which means if one gets activated they all will go into alarm. Most hard wired ( supplied by house current) will have a battery back in case of a power failure. A good rule of thumb is to change the battery on every daylight savings to ensure a reliable back up. If battery gets low it will been intermittently continuously for approximately 7 days. Detectors powered by lithium batteries are rated for ten years and are usually sealed units with no option to replace.But as stated earlier detectors should be replaced at 10 years regardless.There are also detectors run by battery only that are wirelessly interconnected to avoid having to run wires through walls and ceilings.
You should have them if you have an attached garage and you drive a gas car.

[retiredguy123]

You should have them if you have an attached garage and you drive a gas car.
If you have an attached garage, the code requires them even if you don't drive a gas car.

[brfree1411@aol.com]

I had my smoke alarms go off around 11 PM and I had recently moved in.
I replaced batteries but found I had numerous smoke alarms I wasn’t aware of.
Once new batteries were installed in all the alarms, I finally had no ringing!!

[LianneMigiano]

As a quick reminder: We should place tape over the terminals of 9V batteries to prevent contact with other stuff that might cause a fire in the garbage bag...

[mrb9999]

I've had this happen to me. Happened about 3 times in the span of a couple of weeks. Did a little research and found out that dust in one of the units can cause it to go off and set off all the others if hardwired together. Took all the units down and vacuumed them out and haven't had another occurrence in two years.

[noslices1]

[QUOTE=retiredguy123;1944148]You can use lithium batteries in all of your smoke detectors instead of the alkaline type. The lithium ones are supposed to last 10 years.[/QUOTE

@ $13.00 each plus tax, I would hope so.

[retiredguy123]

[QUOTE=retiredguy123;1944148]You can use lithium batteries in all of your smoke detectors instead of the alkaline type. The lithium ones are supposed to last 10 years.[/QUOTE

@ $13.00 each plus tax, I would hope so.
You can buy them for less than half of that on Amazon. I think they are basically the same type of lithium battery used in the sealed smoke detectors, which are designed to last 10 years. According to Energizer, their 9 volt alkaline batteries have a shelf life of up to 5 years, as compared to 10 years for their 9 volt lithium batteries. Most of the use for a smoke detector battery is in a standby or back up mode, using little or no power.

[zendog3]

From the net:

Lead acid batteries do not emit carbon monoxide. ... The amounts of hydrogen gas produced during lead acid battery charging in golf carts far exceed 300 ppm. And, when that charging is done in a closed garage with the golf cart parked next to the heating system, the hydrogen is introduced into the home. Thus the alarm.

[Barborv]

So funny you mentioned this. The last few days we were going through this. It would go off for a bit, and then stop. My husband went from room to room trying to see which one was setting the rest off. He disconnected the one we thought and the next day, same thing. He called the company because he recently had the alarms replaced. They told him that dust or a bug could cause the alarm to go off. So, he went around the house with his small shop vac and cleaned each one and so far so good. Hasn't gone off in two days. So we shall see!

[DeirdreFoster]

I think everything has been covered with the exception of dust. Accumulated dust in the sensing chamber can cause a false alarm. I strongly agree with replacing them all at this point and at the manufacturer recommended years thereafter. National Fire Protection Association states 10 years, but that is always the minimum. ...and while we are at it, most Kidde fire extinguishers purchased at the local big box store are only good for 6 years (non rechargeable) find. The date on the label or a 2 digit stamp on the bottom for year of manufacturing. Replace it with a new. The Kidde brand will say good for 6 years or non rechargeable. Commercial grade should be serviced by a local fire extinguisher company. Ever 6 years.

[jwonycr]

I've had this happen to me. Happened about 3 times in the span of a couple of weeks. Did a little research and found out that dust in one of the units can cause it to go off and set off all the others if hardwired together. Took all the units down and vacuumed them out and haven't had another occurrence in two years.

Definitely true that dust can set off the smoke detectors (because they detect smoke particles, that are similar to dust particles.

Vacuuming every three months is a good preventive.

[davephan]

Beeping detectors are a sign of low battery only. If CO or smoke/fire is detected it will go into alarm.The reason for all detectors to sound after one goes into alarm is to notify all residents in the home of regardless of initial alarm area. Some people have hearing problems or sleep very soundly and might not hear the alarm from the detector initially sounding especially in homes with basements and multiple floors.

I would rephrase that to say that usually the beeping detectors are a sign of a low battery only. I had a 4 wire smoke detector that was wired to my security system that went bad. The smoke detector was beeping, even though it was powered by the security system control panel. The solution to fix that problem was to replace the 4 wire security system smoke detector with a new 4 wire security system smoke detector. There are also 2 wire security system smoke detectors that are used for some security systems.

If you have a security system, you need to determine if the smoke detector is part of the security system, or independent of a security system. If you don't have a security system, that answer is obvious. But if you have a security system, you need to determine if the smoke detector is part of the security system or a stand alone smoke detector.

[asianthree]

Some smoke alarms had a recall. Went online 4 out of 6 of our alarms were replaced for free from the company

[FromDC]

We just replaced all of our units last week. For our First Alerts, if you hear 3 beeps you just replace the battery. If you hear 5 beeps, you replace the unit (which was our case). Our home was built in 2013, so we were in the timeframe for replacement.

Went to Lowe's and bought a contractors pack of 6 for $240! Ouch!

[RobertWR]

Replaced all our units. First I replaced the batteries in all units, silent for 3 days then started again.

5 beeps tells you the unit needs to be replaced. Found best price on Amazon. Same First Alert devices which was a simple replacement with out changing the base.

[retiredguy123]

Replaced all our units. First I replaced the batteries in all units, silent for 3 days then started again.

5 beeps tells you the unit needs to be replaced. Found best price on Amazon. Same First Alert devices which was a simple replacement with out changing the base.
To clarify, according to First Alert, 1 chirp indicates a low battery, 3 chirps indicates a malfunctioning unit, and 5 chirps indicates that the unit is at it's end of life. With either 3 or 5 chirps, you need to replace the unit.

[bluedivergirl]

If you contact the company, some units are being replaced for free, due to issues. Our 2012 home smoke alarms did the same in 2017, our home watch suggested contacting manufacturer. 10 days later all but one smoke alarm was replaced for free. It’s worth a 5 minute call

Agree. We purchased our home in 2015. After a year, detectors started going off and couldn't be silenced. DH called (think it was First Alert) and they sent a box of replacements, no charge. No problems since.