Electrician help - hard-wired smoke alarms

goalscrounger

goalscrounger

Moderator
I've got a series of powered smoke alarms (with battery back-up). Over the past few weeks they've suddenly started randomly going off once every two or three days (only one of them goes off, and it varies as to which one it is).

They only sound for a second or two (usually the alarm sound, but occasionally the "low battery chirp") but it drives the dog mad, and it's usually in the middle of the night, so it's a problem.

I've taken the following steps without success:

Turned the power off and proved the back up batteries to ensure the alarms had completely powered down

Disconnected and reconnected the alarms to check the wiring

Replaced all the backup batteries with new ones

Anyone got any idea what's going on before I lay a fortune for an electrician please?

Addendum: New alarms, replaced about a year ago.
 
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Clean the sensor

If it has a reset button, perhaps press that for about 30 seconds

Perhaps they are just old detectors
 
boroboy6872 said:
Clean the sensor

If it has a reset button, perhaps press that for about 30 seconds

Perhaps they are just old detectors
Click to expand...
No, new ones. Changed about a year ago. Thank you,

I'll get my wife to take the dog out and give them all a long blast on the reset button when I get in from work tonight.
 
Speak to the fitter and the manufacturer? If they don't play ball, send them back, as they're electronic and a safety device they should have a min two year life to be fit for purpose, or I think that's how the EU laws for goods work (we have kept the same laws I think).

They shouldn't be going off randomly after a year.
 
goalscrounger said:
I've got a series of powered smoke alarms (with battery back-up). Over the past few weeks they've suddenly started randomly going off once every two or three days (only one of them goes off, and it varies as to which one it is).

They only sound for a second or two (usually the alarm sound, but occasionally the "low battery chirp") but it drives the dog mad, and it's usually in the middle of the night, so it's a problem.

I've taken the following steps without success:

Turned the power off and proved the back up batteries to ensure the alarms had completely powered down

Disconnected and reconnected the alarms to check the wiring

Replaced all the backup batteries with new ones

Anyone got any idea what's going on before I lay a fortune for an electrician please?

Addendum: New alarms, replaced about a year ago.
Click to expand...
Sorry I wanted an argument - is that on another thread to this?
 
goalscrounger said:
I've got a series of powered smoke alarms (with battery back-up). Over the past few weeks they've suddenly started randomly going off once every two or three days (only one of them goes off, and it varies as to which one it is).

They only sound for a second or two (usually the alarm sound, but occasionally the "low battery chirp") but it drives the dog mad, and it's usually in the middle of the night, so it's a problem.

I've taken the following steps without success:

Turned the power off and proved the back up batteries to ensure the alarms had completely powered down

Disconnected and reconnected the alarms to check the wiring

Replaced all the backup batteries with new ones

Anyone got any idea what's going on before I lay a fortune for an electrician please?

Addendum: New alarms, replaced about a year ago.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm.......... aren't hardwired alarms usually linked? If one goes off they usually all sound. Certainly worked like that in our old house.
 
chickenrunner said:
Hmmmm.......... aren't hardwired alarms usually linked? If one goes off they usually all sound. Certainly worked like that in our old house.
Click to expand...
Yeah they do, the once we set them off with smoke in the kitchen they all worked, but these random noises only come out of one detector at a time.
 
goalscrounger said:
Yeah they do, the once we set them off with smoke in the kitchen they all worked, but these random noises only come out of one detector at a time.
Click to expand...
I have no idea, but, if they all go off at the same time does that suggest some sort of (data?) link between them, if so that’s maybe where the issue lies. Has something else in the house changed? New Wi-Fi? Clutching at straws though.
 
Andy_W said:
Speak to the fitter and the manufacturer? If they don't play ball, send them back, as they're electronic and a safety device they should have a min two year life to be fit for purpose, or I think that's how the EU laws for goods work (we have kept the same laws I think).

They shouldn't be going off randomly after a year.
Click to expand...
Agree but go to the retailer as that is who you made the contract with.

You have a piece of legislation to protect you when buying goods and services called the Consumer Rights Act 2015 which states that all products should be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.

If the product does not meet the requirements then you have a right to complain to the retailer under the Consumer Rights Act. Don't get fobbed off by a retailer that tries to tell you that you need to contact the manufacturer, your contract is with the retailer that sold you the product

Consumer group Which? have a great article that explains your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
www.which.co.uk

Consumer Rights Act 2015 - Which?

The Consumer Rights Act protects you in almost all purchases you make. Here we explain what it means when buying goods or services
www.which.co.uk www.which.co.uk
 
Check all wiring connections are clean and tight.
Are they all the same detector type? This can cause a fault if different types have been used.
Confirm all batteries are at the correct voltage.
 
Id just replace the 2 detectors or the 3 if there's a kitchen heat detector, the cables already there so its a doddle. It should be a feed and then a 3 core for the links or links.
 
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