Smoke detectors keep going off!!

[osprey4]

Our smoke detectors are not operated by battery, they are hard-wired into the house electrical system. We have been having a problem with them going off frequently. We used to say, there go the smoke alarms, dinner is ready! But they are now going off with such frequency that I think there must be some sort of problem.

They are as old as our house (13 years). Does this indicate they need to be replaced? We have tried blowing compressed air through them but the problem persists.

I appreciate any suggestions.

In case anyone is wondering, yes, these are the same smoke alarms featured in this post.

[Epidemic]

Well first off I believe that every smoke alarm has a back up battery. Mine are hard wired into the house but they also have batteries. 9 volt jobbies. Mine started making annoying beeps I disconnected it and replace the battery and all is well with the world now. Of course you my have a different problem but I believe that batteries are mandetory.

Lot of good the smoke detector would do if the fire happened while power was out or if the fire started in the power pannel destroying the power for you alarm system.

[NeoStarO1]

Hmm intersting about yoru smoke alarm. We have one that is extremely sensitive. If we don't use the fan in our bathroom (during hot water usage) the stobes and sound will go off like crazy.

Have you tried replacing your smoke alarm with a newer hardwired one? Where is the smoke alarm placed in relation to your computer. (refering to other thread) or is it doing it when computer is not in use?

[NeoStarO1]

Batteries mandatory in hardwired smoke alarms? I have never heard of that and my smoke ararms do not have batteries in them. Heres the ones I use: First Alert Strobe Smoke Alarm: 4th picture down.

My alarms (2 of them) one is 4 years old and the other one is 2 years old. When I move I take them with me and re-install the old ones back into the house. They are not cheap alarms.

[osprey4]

The computer under question is in the bedroom adjacent to the hallway where we have our 2nd floor smoke alarm.

Maybe I'll just take the covers off and look at them. Someone told me they might have battery backups. I suppose if they're wired, the batteries could last 13 years.

I'm with you on quality, Neostar01. If I replace them, I'm getting something good.

[osprey4]

A little further reading on the NFPA Website revealed this information:

But if smoke alarms in your home are more than 10 years old, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends replacing them, as well.

Why? According to NFPA, aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. Unless you know that the smoke alarms are new, replacing them when moving into a new residence is also recommended by NFPA.

Looks like I'll be replacing my smoke alarms tomorrow.

[desmocat]

I think even the hardwired ones have to have a battery backup.
That way the will still function if the power goes out.
All the ones in my house are wired in a way that when one goes off, they will all start screaming. Drives the dogs crazy when I hold down the test button.
WHen I do test one, it will beep about 3 times, then all of others in the house start going off.
I didn't think mine had batteries either, but they do.

[Epidemic]

NeoStarO1,


After reading up on yours neo, you are apparently correct smoke detectors seem to come in three varieties.

DC (offers no protection if you allow battery to fail and can not be interconnected with other units in the house.)

AC (does not function if there is a power outage but can be interconnected) I do not like that idea since when powerfails your house is probably in more jeopardy since alternative heating methods are used kerosene heaters and fire places.

and AC/DC (this would seem to be the best of both worlds to me) protects family even if fire severs main power.

[Bob The Great]

My fam has hardwired smoke detectors throughout the house. they have battery backup unlike yours though. Anyway the one in my room started going off one night for no perticular reason so I got a chair and punched it really hard. It cracked it open and seemed to stop the alarm. You might try that before you spend all that money to replace your smokealarms.

[whitebeard21]

Not to be a wise a** but at $1000.00 each fire detectors are cheaper than funerals for an entire family.