Smoke alarm keeps beeping

[Voda]

We have two smoke alarms - the type that are wired into your electrics. For the last two nights, one has been beeping quite a bit. It started intermittently and is now every three minutes or so. I know if it was battery operated this would mean the battery needed to be changed, but since it works off the electricity, does this mean that its just broken or there's a short?? It's very annoying so we're going to have to take it down/switch it off if we can't figure out what the prob is. Anyone any ideas?

 

[tara83]

Is there a back up battery by any chance. In case the electricity is out. I know my alarm has one.

 

[sydthebeat]

We have two smoke alarms - the type that are wired into your electrics. For the last two nights, one has been beeping quite a bit. It started intermittently and is now every three minutes or so. I know if it was battery operated this would mean the battery needed to be changed, but since it works off the electricity, does this mean that its just broken or there's a short?? It's very annoying so we're going to have to take it down/switch it off if we can't figure out what the prob is. Anyone any ideas?

firstly, dont do that...

all these alarms have battery back-ups,,,.... it could be that these may need changing.... try this first... get a couple of AA batteries

there may also be a fault with them and the beeping could be a sign....
if the batteries dont work call an electrician (theres plenty out there twidling their thumbs!!)

 

[theoneill]

As posted earlier, first change the batteries and then test the alarm. It’s more than likely it’s the battery back-up. Just be careful opening the alarm so as not to damage it, they can be tricky.

 

[Voda]

Thanks folks, I did not realise there were back up batteries in these alarms. I presume that is what the beeping is and will check it out...