A smoke detector beeps for several reasons, including:
- Low battery
The most common reason for a beeping smoke detector is a low battery. The alarm will usually emit a single beep every 30–60 seconds to indicate that the batteries need to be replaced.
- Dirty smoke detector
Dust, dirt, and other debris can build up in the smoke alarm’s sensing chamber and cause it to beep. To clean it, remove the smoke alarm from its bracket, vacuum it out, and then wipe it down with a damp cloth.
- Open battery drawer
If the battery drawer isn’t closed all the way, it won’t make proper contact with the smoke alarm’s terminals, which can cause the alarm to beep.
- Improper installation
An incorrectly installed smoke alarm is more likely to beep randomly.
- Battery pull-tab is still present
If the security peg or pull tab isn’t pushed back in after replacing the battery, the alarm may beep.
Unless you have a smoke alarm that uses a lifelong battery, you should replace the batteries at least once a year.