Do you know the sounds that your smoke and CO alarms can make, and why?
Tiny Fire urges all residents to understand the sounds their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms make, and react accordingly. Your life may depend on it.
An alarm sounding with a rapid and continuous beep indicates an emergency and you should immediately evacuate and call 911 once safely outside.
Intermittent single or double chirps every 15-60 seconds usually indicates a low battery or other detector faults. If safe to do so, residents are encouraged to read the instructions on the back of their alarm or reference the manual to understand what the signal means.
If in doubt, or a dangerous condition exists, exit the building immediately and call 911.
What happens if I can't find my manual?
Please determine the manufacturer of your particular smoke or CO alarm, and follow the links to the left side of the page to contact them or get more information. If you have questions about the make or model, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Common factors that cause unwanted or intermittent alarms
Please consult your particular manufacturers manual on how to fix the issue.
- Dust - Dust can accumulate within the alarm itself and cause unwanted or intermittent alarm sounds.
- Placement - If alarms are placed close to bathrooms or cooking appliances, steam can cause nuisance alarms. Alarms placed close to vents in the house can cause dust build up.
- Low Battery - A battery must be changed in your alarm every 6 months or based on your alarm manufacturers recommendations.
- Age - Residential alarms only last approximately 10 years (depending on the manufacturer). Please consult your manual or manufacturer's webpage for specific dates. By law, they must be changed by the end of life timeframe - this ensures that you and your family will be alerted in the event of an emergency.