Why is my smoke alarm beeping?

A beeping smoke alarm can get very annoying, very quickly. Fortunately, it’s a good sign and means your smoke alarm is working as intended.

Smoke alarms are compulsory in all Aussie homes, and they might even save your life one day. So what do you do when your smoke alarm won’t stop beeping? First off, pay attention to the frequency of it’s beeps. 

• Continuous beeps: Your alarm detects smoke. 
• Every 30 seconds to a minute: Could signal a low battery, an obstruction, or the end of your alarm’s life.
• Irregular beeps: Could indicate issues related to temperature (like humidity) if your alarm is too close to an open window, a ceiling fan, or an HVAC unit.  

Most smoke alarms are designed to beep when their batteries need replacing. If your smoke alarm is beeping once every 30 seconds or so, the most likely cause is a low battery. 

In some states (like Victoria), you’re not allowed to touch or tamper with the smoke alarm. If you want your smoke alarm battery replaced you’ll need to contact your landlord or property manager. 

If you’re changing your smoke alarm battery yourself, ensure you know what type of smoke alarm you have first. There are three types of smoke detectors:

• Removable battery: These alarms use a 9-volt battery that is due for replacement every 6 months to a year. You can change the batteries yourself since they're removable. 
• Non-removable battery: This type of smoke alarm has a non-removable lithium battery. Do not try to remove or replace this battery, as the whole unit will need to be replaced. Renters will need to contact their landlord or property manager to see about getting the alarm replaced. 
• Hardwired: These alarms are hardwired into your mains power supply. 

Not sure what one you have? Look for a green light on your smoke alarm. If it flashes every 30 or so seconds, it’s battery-operated. If it doesn't flash, it’s connected to the electricity mains in your home.

Once you know the type of alarm you’re dealing with, go ahead and don some protective gear (like safety glasses, earmuffs, a mask, and some gloves), just in case. 

To swap out the battery in your smoke alarm, remove the frame until you see the compartment housing the battery. Replace the battery, and secure the bracket back in place by sliding, twisting, or locking your smoke detector back in place. After you’ve replaced the battery, be sure to test the new batteries by pressing and holding the test button. Once the alarm sounds, release it.

New smoke alarms have a tab that needs to be removed. If you haven't removed the tab, this can prevent your smoke alarm from functioning properly. 

The sensing chamber in the smoke alarm can collect dust, dirt, and insects like spiders. These critters can find their way into your alarm and take up enough space to dislodge the battery. Open your smoke alarm and check there aren’t any obstructions before ruling this one out. While you’re at it, use a wipe or your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment to remove any collected dust or dirt.

Smoke alarms don't last forever. The Building Code of Australia dictates that smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years, so it's worth writing down somewhere (perhaps on some masking tape that you can attach to the bracket) what year it was installed. If you're renting, check-in with your landlord or property manager to see when it was installed. If you've had your smoke alarm for around 10 years or more, the beeping could indicate it’s nearing the end of its life. 

If your smoke alarms live in moist, humid, hot, or dusty areas it can lead to a disruption of the external sensors. This means your smoke alarm will sound even when smoke isn’t present. Clean your smoke alarms regularly, especially if they live in a room that isn’t cleaned often. You may also want to assess where your smoke alarm lives. If it's exposed to a lot of dust and moisture, consider moving it to a different location to avoid false alarms.

Sometimes you can exhaust all options and your smoke alarm still won't stop beeping. While this could be a symptom of a larger issue, resetting your smoke alarm could be a solution. Refer to your smoke alarm’s user manual on how to reset your alarm, as instructions can vary between models. However, for most battery-powered smoke alarms, hold the reset button until the beeping stops. 

If to no avail, your smoke alarm is still beeping, it may simply need replacing

The law dictates that all Aussie homes must be fitted with at least one smoke alarms, though the fine print can vary by state. These smoke alarms must also follow the Australian Standard AS3786:2014.

Landlords must replace smoke alarms every 10 years. If the alarm isn’t working, it should be replaced or repaired within 2 business days. Smoke alarm batteries should be replaced annually, and tested every 6 months.

There should be at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home.

Smoke alarms should be tested regularly. They should also be replaced every 10 years, or as soon as they become non-functional. There should be at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home, and they should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.

Homes must have smoke alarms in areas that will give reasonable warning to occupants while they’re asleep. There should be at least one smoke alarm on each floor, and if your home was approved for construction after the 1st of May 2014, they should be interconnected.

There should be at least one smoke alarm on each floor, and they should be interconnected. They should also be installed in areas that will give reasonable warning to occupants while they’re asleep. 

There should be at least one working smoke alarm on each floor, and they should be interconnected if your house was approved for construction after the 1st of May 2015. 

Smoke alarms should be replaced or repaired as soon as there’s an issue with the alarm. It should be tested at least once every 12 months, and the battery should be replaced when required. It should also be cleaned often to keep it free of debris. There should be at least one working smoke alarm on each level. If your home was renovated or approved for construction after the 1st of May 2014, these smoke alarms should be interconnected. 

In Tasmania, all homes must include at least one working smoke alarm on each floor. If the home was renovated or approved for construction after the 1st of May 2014, they should be interconnected. 

Listen for what type of sound your smoke alarm is making, and try out a few solutions. If you aren't able to find a solution, contact your landlord or property manager to see about it getting replaced.