We can all agree that fire alarms are essential for keeping you safe in the event of a disaster in your home. But sometimes, they work a little too well! It’s not unheard of for fire alarms to go off when there’s no danger present. Does this mean your fire alarm is defective? Maybe—but there are a couple of things you should check before making your diagnosis! Show
TemperatureCertain fire alarms are sensitive to heat and will go off if they sense a change in temperature (in fact, most fire alarms are a combination of heat- and smoke-activated). The issue comes when the wrong types of fire alarms are located in the wrong places. Think about this—during the summer, unventilated attics can reach up to 120 F or hotter, more than enough heat to set off a fire alarm. If fire alarms are going off in hotter areas of your home, consider replacing them with smoke-activated alarms. DustFire alarms sensitive to smoke aren’t immune from false alarms either! Smoke alarms use sensors to detect changes in air quality, temperature, or light. While they are usually reliable, they can be tripped by things like dust, steam, and even scurrying spiders! If your smoke alarm is located in a dusty area or is close to the kitchen or a bathroom, vacuum it out every once in a while or consider swapping it out for a thermal fire alarm. Power FluctuationsMany people have their fire alarms hardwired directly into their home’s electrical system, with a battery backup to take over when the power goes out. Fluctuations in power may trigger an alarm sound, but a number of other things, including CB or HAM radios or even mobile phone towers, can also affect them. Low BatteriesWe’ve written before about how low batteries can lead to fire alarm chirping. Almost all new fire alarms come with a monitor that alarms when the power gets low. If your fire alarm is chirping or making a quieter, more consistent noise that doesn’t sound like a full-on alarm, try swapping out the batteries. If you’ve tried all of the following and your fire alarm is still going off for no reason, it may be worth calling a fire protection company to come have a look and see if the problem is more serious. Kauffman Co. provides fire alarm inspection in Houston to take care of all your fire alarm needs. Is that ‘chirp, chirp, chirp’ noise driving you crazy? Here are the top 10 reasons your smoke alarm may be sounding off when there isn’t a fire risk:
Proper Smoke Alarm PlacementInstalling smoke alarms correctly and making sure they are working properly can be a literal lifesaver in the event of a fire. The sooner you are made aware of a fire, the easier it will be to leave safely and call the fire department for help. Here are recommendations for smoke detector placement in your home:
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration ExpertsWhile we hope you don’t need our services, Reynolds Restoration Services is here to help in case of a fire. Our team of fire and smoke remediation and restoration experts has been helping homeowners restore their property after a fire. We understand how devastating a home fire can be and our team of emergency restoration specialists is ready to take the stress off of you. With offices in Harrisburg, Pa., Philadelphia, Pa., and the Baltimore/DC metro region, our emergency response time is quick. We are on-call 24/7 for emergency service for fire damage restoration, storm damage response, disaster restoration services, mold remediation, flood and water damage, and more. Let us help you restore your home or business to its pre-loss condition. Call 1.888.277.8280 for emergency services. Why did my fire alarm randomly go off in the middle of the night?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 would randomly set off a fire alarm?Here are some other common causes of false smoke alarms:. Smoke from burnt food or cooking.. Fireplace smoke or outdoor campfires blowing indoors.. Steam and High humidity.. Low battery life.. Excess Dust or Debris.. Chemicals.. End of life.. What can set off a smoke detector besides smoke?To help you better understand how smoke alarms work, here are the top causes of smoke detector false alarms.. Burnt Food. Sometimes your cooking may produce smoke, which activates the smoke alarm. ... . Fireplaces. ... . High Humidity and Steam. ... . Insects. ... . Dust, Dirt and Environmental Smoke. ... . Low Batteries or Time to Replace.. Why is fire alarm going off without fire?Cover or Sensor Chamber is Covered by Dust or Dirt.
Alarms may look clean, but dust can accumulate inside the cover, especially in newly built homes. Gently vacuum smoke alarms regularly using the soft brush attachment. Be sure electricians install the provided dust cover to keep alarm clean during construction.
|