Goddamn smoke detector

Stover

So the smoke detector in my room (and only my room) is making a loud chirp once every minute or so.

I've tried changing the battery already, to no avail.

What else could this be? Its annoying the piss out of me and I'd much rather sleep.

Movitz

Press the test-button, some of them require that after a battery change.

Otherwise....whack it around a bit. Probably won't do anything to fix it but it will make you feel better. Then you buy a new one for $5.

Seol

It's also worth checking that your room isn't actually on fire.

Fallingman

Ha ha - We had this in our house... it went on till 2am, until I cracked, I opened the door to the lounge just in time to see my flatmate swing a mop in a huge arc over his head (very tall ceilings) he caught it perfectly, it flew across the room and smashed into the chimney on the opposite wall. He looked so pleased with himself.

Deathwing

Normally that sort of noise means the battery is low.....did you try changing it with a brand-new battery that you're absolutely sure is fresh?

Otherwise, if what Movitz said didn't work, it's either dirty inside or defective - try blasting it out with some compressed air, and/or use the brush attachment on a vacuum. Failing that, take the battery out and go buy a new detector.

Had this same sort of thing happen to my wife and I yesterday morning - complete absence of smoke, piece of junk decided to randomly go off at about 4 AM for about 10 seconds, shut off, then went off again 20 minutes later and wouldn't stop till we pulled the battery.

rfalias

Steps to fix an annoying smoke detector.

1.) Locate a device of suitable sturdiness, preferably 2-5 feet long.
2.) Approach smoke detector, with the device in hand (see step 1)
3.) Align the device from step 1 with the detector in question.
4.) Swing device from step 1 rapidly in the direction of the smoke detector.
5.) If all has gone well, detector will be displaced to the floor.
6.) Rapidly swing device from step 1 at smoke detector until the detector is in 5 or more pieces.
7.) Go to sleep.


Really though, I always thought that was the battery. But since you changed it, the prior 7 steps seem to be the only logical option.

Or do what monk does and go to the firestation with it.

MichaelLC

All the people recomending smashing the thing; keep in mind that the old detectors had mercury in them.

Movitz got it - it probably just needs to be reset.

Daenris

MichaelLC wrote: »

All the people recomending smashing the thing; keep in mind that the old detectors had mercury in them.

Also keep in mind you'd probably rather not die screaming as flames engulf you.

Midshipman

Smoke detectors don't contain mercury. However, some types do contain a very small amount of americium, which is a radioactive element. However, it's such a small amount that it shouldn't pose any health hazard unless you somehow ingested it or ended up wearing it for an extended period of time.

JeffH

you might have a hidden carbon monoxide detector nearby that's making the sound. happened to me.

Yar

Yeah, that's the battery noise. My smoke detectors in my old house were wired to the house's power and had battery backup in case of power failure. For some reason, whenever it got cold, it thought the battery was dead and would chirp, regardless of how fresh the battery was. The only solution was to either remove the battery or disconnect it from the power.

Stover

So as it turns out, the (new) battery I put in it was already dead. Or at least dying. That's what I get I guess for buying CVS batteries.

Lock away.

PS: H/A

TL DR

Smoke detectors do contain radioactive isotopes though.

Seol

Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »

Smoke detectors do contain radioactive isotopes though.

Well, yeah, that's how they detect smoke.

TL DR

Seol wrote: »

Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »

Smoke detectors do contain radioactive isotopes though.

Well, yeah, that's how they detect smoke.

I was just mentioning it because 1. I find it interesting and 2. someone said they don't have mercury. Wouldn't want the guy to shatter the thing and start chewing random bits.

Midshipman

Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »

Seol wrote: »

Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »

Smoke detectors do contain radioactive isotopes though.

Well, yeah, that's how they detect smoke.

I was just mentioning it because 1. I find it interesting and 2. someone said they don't have mercury. Wouldn't want the guy to shatter the thing and start chewing random bits.

It was me who said that they don't have mercury. I also stated that they have americium in the next sentance.

Midshipman wrote: »

Smoke detectors don't contain mercury. However, some types do contain a very small amount of americium, which is a radioactive element. However, it's such a small amount that it shouldn't pose any health hazard unless you somehow ingested it or ended up wearing it for an extended period of time.

Ruckus

Timothy Leary Come Check Out This Theory wrote: »

Smoke detectors do contain radioactive isotopes though.

Ionizing smoke detectors have radioactive isotopes. There are also photoelectric smoke detectors which do not.

Thomamelas

Do keep in mind that if you live in an apartment, smashing your smoke detector is a very bad idea. Many modern apartments have a fire system that would wire the smoke detector into panel. Thus replacing requires someone to come out and wire up a new one. And in most states this person is required to be licensed by the state.