Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

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GeekGal
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Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:05 pm

Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by GeekGal »

Dear BH,

Hoping you can help. I have 6 7 smoke detectors in my home. On Thursday, one started chriping (5 times in a row, about once per minute).
As you can imagine, it was (and is) annoying, but nothing seems to work! :confused

This weekend (after the weekday flurry of activity between work, online school for my older daughter plus my two-year old), my dad has been trying to help me figure out the solution.

We have tried:
- replacing the battery in the detector that was chirping (fresh battery from a brand-new two pack of batteries) and holding the button to reset the unit
- replacing batteries in the other 6 detectors (from another new pack of batteries) and resetting the units (meaning release any residual power by pressing the button)
- replacing the unit that was chirping with a brand new unit and resetting the unit (since 5 chirps can imply unit is approaching end of life)
- switching the new unit in all of the other 6 locations to see if one of the other units needs replacement but was "talking" to the one that keeps chirping
- replacing all 7 seven smoke detectors (all 7 are the same brand, one is difference model than other 6 of same brand). All seven have brand new batteries that came with the unit
- replacing the wiring in the unit that is chirping - although please see question below
- turning circuit off, removing batter and releasing power in all 7 detectors, putting battery back and then turning circuit back on

Beyond this, I can think of the following additional measures:
- replace all smoke detector units
- replace wiring in the smoke detector unit that was chirping

- replace wiring in all smoke detectors The new smoke detectors have three wires (red, white, and black) as do the old ones (and as do all smoke detectors, I think). However, in the new smoke detectors the red wire is not "open", meaning the end of the wire is enclosed in a small plastic covering. We did not want to prematurely cut this wire, but think this could be the reason for the persistent chirping if the red is used to "communicate", the white is neutral and the black wire is live. Does anyone know what the purpose of red wire is?
- calling an electrician (I would prefer not to do this, for a variety of reasons).

Ugh. The chirping is annoying! I dislike dealing with this sort of thing - was hoping the battery change would solve the chirping, and would appreciate any help or experience you can provide. Thoughts on what the solution could be? The chirping has continued at a rate of 5 times per minute since Thursday, March 11. :(

Thanks in advance for your time.

-GG
Last edited by GeekGal on Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
silverlitegs
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by silverlitegs »

I would call the manufacturer and ask them. Though I recall running into this once with one battery powered unit and just replaced it. I also recall hearing detector have a 10 year life
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JoeRetire
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by JoeRetire »

Often, 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.

You mentioned that it chirped 5 times. Has it stopped?
How old is the unit?

My neighbor had a fire alarm that was chirping. I replace the battery but it still chirped.
It was a wired model with a battery backup. I found out that the wiring that should have normally powered it was loose. When I disconnected and reconnected the wiring properly, the chirping stopped.

If you find out the brand and specific model, you can look up the owners manual online. It will tell you specifically what to look for whenever you hear 5 chirps about once per minute.
Last edited by JoeRetire on Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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NCPE
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by NCPE »

Typically the 5 chirps means the smoke detector has reached the end of its life (Usually 10 years).
Check the manufacture date on the smoke detector, if it is any where close to the 10 year mark in is time to be replaced.

If I read your post correctly you have replaced the chirping detector with a new one and the new one still chirps then I would suspect that the AC wiring supplying power to that particular detector may be suspect.

NCPE
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TheTimeLord
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by TheTimeLord »

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formerlybroke
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by formerlybroke »

Oh, this brings back awful memories as we’ve been there!

First thing I’d suggest is to pull all the smoke detectors and check the manufacture date. When I spoke to Kidde they said 10 years or so is about the point of no return and they need to be replaced.

We replaced all 8 in our home and the problem went away.
jebmke
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by jebmke »

When in doubt throw it out. [smoke detectors, parachutes, other various mission critical stuff that could save your life]
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
RuralLivin
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by RuralLivin »

The ones in our 2002 built house started chirping and I replaced the batteries to no avail. Also, I had forgotten about the one in the garage on the first pass.

The chirping appeared to have been caused by a spider in the garage smoke detector unit itself. I carefully vacuumed it out and the problem went away.

When the units were a little over ten years years old, I went replaced all five of them with newer units.
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NavyIC3
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by NavyIC3 »

RuralLivin wrote: Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:05 pm The ones in our 2002 built house started chirping and I replaced the batteries to no avail. Also, I had forgotten about the one in the garage on the first pass.

The chirping appeared to have been caused by a spider in the garage smoke detector unit itself. I carefully vacuumed it out and the problem went away.

When the units were a little over ten years years old, I went replaced all five of them with newer units.
Odd that there is a smoke detector in the garage. It would cause false alarms. I think that you have a heat detector in the garage since they respond to heat not smoke.
fleetwdl
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by fleetwdl »

Google your brand and model number to determine exactly which unit you have. The 5 chirps vs 1 makes me suspicious that you may have a CO meter or combination smoke/CO alarm unit. My experience has been that the CO sensors tend to go bad and, if so the unit must be replaced.
EagertoLearnMore
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by EagertoLearnMore »

We had First Alert that had this problem AFTER replacing it with a brand new unit. The suggestion was to remove the unit entirely from the ceiling and disconnect the electrical connection, take out batteries, and press the test button to DISCHARGE all energy from the unit. Then, replace.

Apparently the energy must be DISCHARGED to stop the beeping. Try first with new unit and then do others.

BTW - there is a plastic connector to separate unit from ceiling.
GrowthSeeker
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by GrowthSeeker »

Most if not all of the ceiling units that are wired in have a feature that if one unit goes into alarm mode, all of them go into alarm mode. I doubt this would apply to a 5 beep end of life message, but maybe.
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galawdawg
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by galawdawg »

GeekGal wrote: Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:04 pm We have tried:
- replacing the battery in the detector that was chirping (fresh battery from a brand-new two pack of batteries) and holding the button to reset the unit
- replacing batteries in the other 5 detectors (from another new pack of batteries) and resetting the units
- replacing the unit that was chirping with a brand new unit and resetting the unit (since 5 chirps can imply unit is approaching end of life)
- switching the new unit in all of the other 5 locations to see if one of the other units needs replacement but was "talking" to the one that keeps chirping
So you replaced the chirping smoke detector with a brand new smoke detector and the chirping continued??

If so,
a. Is the chirping occurring only in the single smoke detector/single location or are all of the smoke detectors chirping?
b. When you moved the chirping smoke detector from location 1 to location 2, did that chirping smoke detector continue to chirp in location 2?
c. When you moved the chirping smoke detector from location 1 to location 2, did the non-chirping smoke detector that you moved to location 1 begin chirping?
d. Was the replacement smoke detector the exact same make and model as the original and fresh from the store with a very recent manufacture date?
e. Did the replacement smoke detector have a battery included? If not, did you install a brand new, fresh from the store, battery (lithium ion recommended)?
jeff1949
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by jeff1949 »

I have the First Alert brand of smoke detectors with a 10 year non replaceable battery and no hard wiring. When one of them started chirping (in the middle of the night of course) I called them up and was told do blow them out with a hair dryer (no heat) about every six months. I did so and have never had a problem since as long as I blow them out every six months or so.
Topic Author
GeekGal
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by GeekGal »

galawdawg wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:49 am
GeekGal wrote: Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:04 pm We have tried:
- replacing the battery in the detector that was chirping (fresh battery from a brand-new two pack of batteries) and holding the button to reset the unit
- replacing batteries in the other 5 detectors (from another new pack of batteries) and resetting the units
- replacing the unit that was chirping with a brand new unit and resetting the unit (since 5 chirps can imply unit is approaching end of life)
- switching the new unit in all of the other 5 locations to see if one of the other units needs replacement but was "talking" to the one that keeps chirping
So you replaced the chirping smoke detector with a brand new smoke detector and the chirping continued?? Yes. Now we have replaced all 7 and still the chirping has continued.

If so,
a. Is the chirping occurring only in the single smoke detector/single location or are all of the smoke detectors chirping? Yes
b. When you moved the chirping smoke detector from location 1 to location 2, did that chirping smoke detector continue to chirp in location 2? No
c. When you moved the chirping smoke detector from location 1 to location 2, did the non-chirping smoke detector that you moved to location 1 begin chirping? Yes
d. Was the replacement smoke detector the exact same make and model as the original and fresh from the store with a very recent manufacture date? We bought one to replace the chriping one, same brand (different model). Then bought a pack of 6 more of the same brand. The 6 are the same brand as the single new one but different model. All batteries are brand new, came with the units manufactured December 2020.
e. Did the replacement smoke detector have a battery included? If not, did you install a brand new, fresh from the store, battery (lithium ion recommended)? Yes (and we have brand new, fresh from the store batteries we tried before we replaced all 7 units, without success in stopping the chirping).
Topic Author
GeekGal
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by GeekGal »

EagertoLearnMore wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:06 am We had First Alert that had this problem AFTER replacing it with a brand new unit. The suggestion was to remove the unit entirely from the ceiling and disconnect the electrical connection, take out batteries, and press the test button to DISCHARGE all energy from the unit. Then, replace.

Apparently the energy must be DISCHARGED to stop the beeping. Try first with new unit and then do others.

BTW - there is a plastic connector to separate unit from ceiling.
Indeed, we have been releasing any residual power in batteries.
wander
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by wander »

I think there is no reset button. It is called test button.
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galawdawg
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by galawdawg »

GeekGal wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:00 am
galawdawg wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:49 am
GeekGal wrote: Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:04 pm We have tried:
- replacing the battery in the detector that was chirping (fresh battery from a brand-new two pack of batteries) and holding the button to reset the unit
- replacing batteries in the other 5 detectors (from another new pack of batteries) and resetting the units
- replacing the unit that was chirping with a brand new unit and resetting the unit (since 5 chirps can imply unit is approaching end of life)
- switching the new unit in all of the other 5 locations to see if one of the other units needs replacement but was "talking" to the one that keeps chirping
So you replaced the chirping smoke detector with a brand new smoke detector and the chirping continued?? Yes. Now we have replaced all 7 and still the chirping has continued.

If so,
a. Is the chirping occurring only in the single smoke detector/single location or are all of the smoke detectors chirping? Yes
b. When you moved the chirping smoke detector from location 1 to location 2, did that chirping smoke detector continue to chirp in location 2? No
c. When you moved the chirping smoke detector from location 1 to location 2, did the non-chirping smoke detector that you moved to location 1 begin chirping? Yes
d. Was the replacement smoke detector the exact same make and model as the original and fresh from the store with a very recent manufacture date? We bought one to replace the chriping one, same brand (different model). Then bought a pack of 6 more of the same brand. The 6 are the same brand as the single new one but different model. All batteries are brand new, came with the units manufactured December 2020.
e. Did the replacement smoke detector have a battery included? If not, did you install a brand new, fresh from the store, battery (lithium ion recommended)? Yes (and we have brand new, fresh from the store batteries we tried before we replaced all 7 units, without success in stopping the chirping).
Are you able to safely check the voltage of the power supply to the location of the chirping detector? It sounds like the issue may be specific to the wiring or plug at that location.

(edit: grammar)
Last edited by galawdawg on Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
neilpilot
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by neilpilot »

wander wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:04 am I think there is no reset button. It is called test button.
My units have a test button that also functions as a reset button.
Topic Author
GeekGal
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by GeekGal »

galawdawg wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:13 am
Are you able to safely check the voltage of the power supply to the location of the chirping detector? It sounds like the issue may be specific to the wiring or plug at that location.

Thanks for responding. There is power coming to the location (checked), but unfortunately not able to verify voltage. Yes, either it is the location that is the problem or somehow that location has been set up to be the communicator for a problem at any of the locations.

Changing the wires (and connecting the red too) has not helped.

I do not know what else to do. I am going to try calling First Alert; hopefully they can recommend additional troubleshooting or recommend a specialist.

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galawdawg
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by galawdawg »

GeekGal wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:57 pm
galawdawg wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:13 am
Are you able to safely check the voltage of the power supply to the location of the chirping detector? It sounds like the issue may be specific to the wiring or plug at that location.

Thanks for responding. There is power coming to the location (checked), but unfortunately not able to verify voltage. Yes, either it is the location that is the problem or somehow that location has been set up to be the communicator for a problem at any of the locations.

Changing the wires (and connecting the red too) has not helped.

I do not know what else to do. I am going to try calling First Alert; hopefully they can recommend additional troubleshooting or recommend a specialist.

Do you have any other devices nearby that could be chirping, such as a CO detector? Sometimes sound can be difficult to isolate.
ragnathor
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by ragnathor »

If I'm reading your post correctly:

Replacing the chirping unit with a brand new unit, it continued to chip. And, moving the chirping unit to a new location it did NOT chirp.

To me this means a wiring problem. Perhaps need an electrician to diagnose or replace the wiring.

Do you have the manual for your fire alarm system? It is likely available online.
EagertoLearnMore
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by EagertoLearnMore »

Can you remove the batteries from the units and then turn the circuit breaker off? That should turn off the chirping.
Nowizard
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by Nowizard »

It is annoying! What I discovered is that you have to "bled" the one chirping by pushing the sound button before replacing the battery. I'm not sure whether that is before or after removing the old battery, so I do it both ways. That works for ours. It has also worked to stop the chirping by removing the battery and leaving the door closing the battery compartment open. I'm sure there is a direct explanation that answers the question technically, and YouTube did explain it in the past, but the above did work.

Tim
danaht
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by danaht »

It's usually far cheaper to try to replace the units yourself with new units before calling in a specialist. Make sure you replace all the units with the same model. These fire alarms will usually only inter-connect with the same model.
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by toast0 »

Just to make sure, the beeping is only occurring in one location, but it happens at that location even with a new detector? You got a bunch of new detectors, did you try others in that location?

If you disconnect the detector at that location from a/c power, and also remove its battery and press the test button to discharge the residual charge, do you still hear beeping there? I'm wondering if there's another detector in the area that is not so obvious, but is still beeping.
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by 123 »

toast0 wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:08 am ... I'm wondering if there's another detector in the area that is not so obvious, but is still beeping.
+1 Remove all known smoke detectors (and their batteries) at the same time and see if the beeping ceases. You could have another detector in an unusual location, or perhaps a separate carbon monoxide detector somewhere (it will also have end-of-life beeps).
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by ElJefeDelQueso »

GeekGal wrote: Sun Mar 14, 2021 7:04 pm Dear BH,

Hoping you can help. I have 6 7 smoke detectors in my home. On Thursday, one started chriping (5 times in a row, about once per minute).
As you can imagine, it was (and is) annoying, but nothing seems to work! :confused

This weekend (after the weekday flurry of activity between work, online school for my older daughter plus my two-year old), my dad has been trying to help me figure out the solution.

We have tried:
- replacing the battery in the detector that was chirping (fresh battery from a brand-new two pack of batteries) and holding the button to reset the unit
- replacing batteries in the other 6 detectors (from another new pack of batteries) and resetting the units (meaning release any residual power by pressing the button)
- replacing the unit that was chirping with a brand new unit and resetting the unit (since 5 chirps can imply unit is approaching end of life)
- switching the new unit in all of the other 6 locations to see if one of the other units needs replacement but was "talking" to the one that keeps chirping
- replacing all 7 seven smoke detectors (all 7 are the same brand, one is difference model than other 6 of same brand). All seven have brand new batteries that came with the unit
- replacing the wiring in the unit that is chirping - although please see question below
- turning circuit off, removing batter and releasing power in all 7 detectors, putting battery back and then turning circuit back on

Beyond this, I can think of the following additional measures:
- replace all smoke detector units
- replace wiring in the smoke detector unit that was chirping

- replace wiring in all smoke detectors The new smoke detectors have three wires (red, white, and black) as do the old ones (and as do all smoke detectors, I think). However, in the new smoke detectors the red wire is not "open", meaning the end of the wire is enclosed in a small plastic covering. We did not want to prematurely cut this wire, but think this could be the reason for the persistent chirping if the red is used to "communicate", the white is neutral and the black wire is live. Does anyone know what the purpose of red wire is?
- calling an electrician (I would prefer not to do this, for a variety of reasons).

Ugh. The chirping is annoying! I dislike dealing with this sort of thing - was hoping the battery change would solve the chirping, and would appreciate any help or experience you can provide. Thoughts on what the solution could be? The chirping has continued at a rate of 5 times per minute since Thursday, March 11. :(

Thanks in advance for your time.

-GG
I replaced all of mine with Nest Protects so that I could identify which was alarming and why, and silence it remotely.
Topic Author
GeekGal
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Re: Smoke Detector Help - 5 chirps

Post by GeekGal »

Thank you all for your responses.

I am embarrassed to report after all that fuss that the chirping was not a smoke detector at all, but as many of you suggested, a carbon monoxide detector. It was in an inconspicuous location, probably placed by my husband who died in 2019. We will change batteries in it and the other unit, or replace both.

At least now the smoke detectors are new and should be good for a while. And I don’t have to call a specialist or electrician.

I am still getting used to dealing with stuff like this. I’m grateful to have my dad’s help and to have support from you all. Thank you so much.

I now need to figure out what is wrong with my refrigerator (freezer is fine).

-GG
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