You can fix this
Likely cause: the alarm has reached end of life
An alarm that chirps with a fresh battery, is 10 or more years old, or has a sealed battery and chirps, needs replacing. A battery-only alarm is a homeowner swap.
Why this happens
NFPA says all smoke alarms must be replaced 10 years after their manufacture date, and that an alarm that keeps chirping after a new battery must be replaced. Kidde says sealed-battery alarms chirp every 30 seconds to signal end of life. Kidde also notes carbon monoxide alarms begin end-of-life chirping seven years after power-up.
How to fix it
- Take the old battery-only alarm off its base.
- Mount the new smoke alarm in the same spot, following its instructions.
- Press and hold TEST to confirm it sounds.
- Write the install date on it, test it monthly, and replace it in 10 years.
- If the alarm turns out to have wires behind it, stop. Replacing a hardwired alarm is work for a licensed electrician.
If this does not fix it, tell the licensed electrician
- If you need help: the alarm's brand, model and manufacture date.
- Whether it is battery-only or hardwired, and whether it is interconnected with other alarms.
Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.
Start this troubleshooter over
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
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