Smoke Detector Problems

Different Types of Smoke Detectors

When it comes to monitored smoke detectors there are two main types:

Low Voltage Alarm System Smoke Sensors

•A sensor that is designed specifically for use with low voltage monitored alarm systems.

•Gets it's main power directly from the alarm control panel (DC power).

•Does not typically have a battery located within the detector. It relies on the back up battery located in the alarm control panel for back up power.

•Sensors come in 2-wire and 4-wire configurations

110 Volt smoke detectors

•Installed and serviced by certified electricians.

•Wired directly in to the house main AC power.

•Will typically have a standard battery (e.g. 9 Volt square battery) located within the detector for back up power.

•May or may not be monitored. It is possible to tie this type of smoke detector in to an alarm system for monitoring. This is done with a special relay that allows this high voltage smoke detector to be tied to a low voltage alarm system.

Beeping Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors may beep for a number of different reasons, including a faulty sensor, unrestored fire alarm, or low back up battery. Steps should be taken to determine the type of smoke detector in question, and the probable cause of the beeping.

•Check the account history in CML Entry to see if there is an associated signal, such as Fire Trouble, or outstanding Fire Alarm.

•If there is an outstanding fire trouble, the device or wiring may have become faulty. The service provider should be called, once the type of smoke detector is determined (see below).

•If there is an outstanding fire alarm, steps should be taken to reset the smoke detector or restore the alarm (see below).

•If there is no apparent reason for the smoke detector to be beeping (i.e. nothing in account history indicating any problem), it could mean that the smoke detector is faulty, or in the case of a 110 Volt Smoke Detector, that the internal battery may be low and need replacing.

Determining what type of smoke detector is beeping

Determining what type of smoke detector is beeping is essential. Different actions will be taken, depending on the type.

The easiest way to determine if the beeping smoke detector is a low voltage alarm system sensor, or a 110 Volt detector tied in to the house AC power is to power down the alarm system.

•If, once the alarm system is completely powered down, the beeping continues, this means that the smoke detector in question is tied in to the main AC power of the house. The client can try replacing the battery located within the device. If the beeping was due to a low internal battery, this should solve the problem. If replacing the battery does not resolve the issue the customer should contact a qualified electrician to service the smoke detector.

•If the beeping stops once the alarm system is completely powered down this means that the smoke detector in question is a low voltage alarm system sensor. In this case the dealer should be contacted.

Resetting Smoke Detectors & restoring Fire Alarms

Often, alarm systems will have their own methods for resetting smoke detectors & restoring fire alarms. First, consult the user manual for the alarm panel in question. If no instructions are listed there, there are a few steps that can be taken.

The first and easiest step to try is arming/disarming the system. Often the alarm system can not be armed if there is an outstanding fire alarm, but certain systems will not send a fire alarm restore until the system is armed/disarmed (even though the device might actually already be reset).

Standard alarm system smoke detectors need to be powered down and then powered up to physically reset. If the alarm panel in question does not have a function for this, or if the function does not work, then the detector needs to be manually power cycled. The easiest way to do this is to power down the alarm system, and then power it back up. This is often easier and safer to do than actually disconnecting the power wires from the smoke detector.