In an emergency, a flashing red light can be an added visual cue to alert you of a fire. However, it can also signal other issues that require your attention.
The first thing to do is run a test of your smoke detector. Then, you can decide if it needs to be replaced or repaired.
Battery
If you have battery-operated smoke alarms, the first thing you should do is replace the batteries. They are designed to last a year or so, depending on the type of battery used and how well you take care of them.
One of the biggest problems I see with battery-operated smoke alarms is that they go off randomly when you turn off the switch, which can make it hard to figure out what has triggered them. The best way to get them to stop is to press and hold the unit’s reset switch.
Another problem is if the smoke detector has an interconnect wire that isn’t making contact with the main wiring. If the voltage drop of the interconnect wire is large, it will cause an alarm to sound.
Dust, cobwebs and other debris can also wreak havoc on the sensors inside your smoke detectors. This is a good reason to clean them out regularly with canned air or a vacuum attachment.
Circuit Breaker
When smoke detectors go off, you’ll hear a chirping sound and see a red flashing light. This is a common occurrence, and it’s a good idea to take note of it so that you can fix the problem before it gets worse.
You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t have any dirt or dust clogging the smoke sensor. This can cause your alarm to keep going off even though there’s no smoke present.
Fortunately, you can easily fix this by taking out the battery in your smoke detector and resetting it. Just press and hold the test button for 15-30 seconds to fully reset your smoke detector. After you do, it should stop chirping.
Wiring
When a smoke alarm goes off, it sends a signal to the other smoke alarms on that circuit. This is important because if one goes off in the basement, every smoke detector on that circuit will sound as well, ensuring everyone in the house hears the alarm.
To make this work, each smoke alarm has a red (or sometimes yellow) wire inside it that transmits the signal to all other alarms on the same circuit. That red or yellow wire is the only free wire in the alarm that doesn’t connect to an outlet or light fixture circuit.
If your home has interconnected, hardwired smoke alarms, it’s essential to monitor the wiring from time to time. If a large power surge damages the wires, these detectors may behave erratically or fail silently.
Smoke Detector
A smoke detector goes off when smoke from a fire interferes with the light beam. It’s an important part of any safety system in the home, and it is a must-have.
Some smoke alarms are multicriteria or intelligent, which means they use more than one sensor to detect fires. This can help prevent unwanted alarms from non-fire sources, such as a cooking flame.
Other types of smoke detectors are photoelectric or ionization, which uses a steady beam of light to detect smoke particles. The device then sends out a signal to the surrounding area to alert people of the danger.
Smoke detectors should be installed at least 4 inches above a floor and 4-12 inches from the ceiling in bedrooms and other areas that could be affected by smoke. They should also be located away from possible drafts, such as a fireplace or window.
Many smoke detectors have a test button, which you can use to check the smoke detector’s performance. You can also replace the battery if needed.