Buzz
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors play a crucial, life-saving role and should be installed in every area of your home. Beyond proper placement, it’s essential to review the user manual to understand the different beeps, chirps, and alarm sounds your device produces.
However, if you’ve lost or discarded the instructions (and they aren’t listed on the device itself), and you’re facing a scenario where there’s no smoke, carbon monoxide levels are safe, the batteries are new, yet your smoke alarm still beeps periodically, here’s what it could indicate.
Interpreting the beeps and chirps of your smoke alarm
While there are various types of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that the meanings of their beeps and chirps are generally consistent across different models and brands.
Beeps versus chirps
To clarify the terminology: Although the specific tones may differ, chirps are typically shorter in duration than beeps when referring to the length of the individual sound (not the duration of the alarm). You can find audio examples of each on this NFPA webpage.
Interpreting each alarm sound
As per the NFPA, here’s the significance of each alarm sound:
Repeated sets of three (3) loud beeps: Indicates the presence of smoke or fire
Repeated sets of four (4) loud beeps: Signals the detection of carbon monoxide
If you hear either alarm, evacuate your home immediately, call 9-1-1, and do not re-enter until authorities confirm it is safe.
In other instances, the beeps or chirps serve as maintenance alerts:
A single chirp every 30 to 60 seconds: Indicates the battery needs replacement
Repeated sets of three (3) loud beeps without smoke or fire: Suggests the smoke detector is dirty
Over time, dust, dirt, spiders, insects, and other debris can build up inside a smoke detector, potentially triggering the alarm. Refer to the back of the device for cleaning instructions from the manufacturer. If none are provided, you can carefully vacuum the detector or use compressed air, as recommended by the NFPA.
The end-of-life alert
Imagine your smoke alarm begins chirping every 30 to 60 seconds, and it doesn’t stop even after you’ve replaced the battery. You might try another new battery, thinking the first one could have been defective or previously used. When that doesn’t work, you attempt cleaning it with a vacuum or compressed air. Despite your efforts, the chirping persists.
This is referred to as the “end-of-life” chirp: Your smoke alarm’s way of signaling that it can no longer function properly and needs to be retired (i.e., replaced with a new unit).
This usually occurs after approximately 10 years of use, though some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors may not last that long. Regardless of the device’s age, if you identify the end-of-life chirp, the NFPA advises replacing your current alarm with a new one.
