Replacing smoke detector alarm battery help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around troubleshooting issues related to smoke detector alarms, specifically focusing on battery replacement challenges and the persistent beeping of a wall-mounted microphone connected to a fire alarm system. Participants explore various methods to address these issues, including potential design flaws, the need for cleaning, and the possibility of defective units.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty accessing the battery compartment of a smoke alarm due to a permanent power connection, fearing that disconnecting it may trigger an alarm.
  • Another suggests checking the brand and model number for online instructions to assist with the battery replacement process.
  • After replacing the battery, a participant notes that their wall mic continues to beep, prompting questions about the number of smoke detectors on the same circuit.
  • Some participants propose that if the beeping persists after battery replacement, the smoke detector may be defective and require replacement.
  • One participant shares a method of resetting the alarms by removing power, batteries, and holding the test button, while also suggesting that dust accumulation might be causing issues.
  • Concerns are raised about the design of smoke detectors, with one participant noting that their model has a slide-open door for easier access.
  • Discussion includes the possibility of hidden smoke detectors in the apartment, with participants speculating about their locations.
  • Some participants clarify that the beeping is an intermittent chirp for low battery rather than a full alarm, leading to further investigation into the source of the sound.
  • There is mention of a remote horn (speaker) connected to a building-wide alarm system, which does not have a battery backup and may be malfunctioning.
  • Safety tips are shared regarding the disposal of 9V batteries to prevent potential fire hazards.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the issues at hand, with some agreeing on the need for potential replacements or repairs, while others remain uncertain about the source of the beeping and the effectiveness of their smoke detectors. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the best course of action.

Contextual Notes

Participants note various limitations, including the potential for hidden smoke detectors, the age of the units, and the design of the alarms, which may affect troubleshooting efforts. There is also uncertainty regarding the responsibilities of the landlord in maintaining smoke detectors.

  • #31
Greg Bernhardt said:
I haven't replaced them
That's not the landlord's responsibility? I'd tell you to check the local fire & building codes, but that's being a little "pushy" toward the landlord without knowing what/how the lease reads.
 
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  • #32
russ_watters said:
If it is making noise and it isn't blasting you out of the house, something is wrong with it or the building alarm system.
Time to make a phone call tomorrow.
 
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  • #33
russ_watters said:
What's a "mic"?
[edit]
The model number is readable in your pic: http://www.thesignalsource.com/documents/GX93.pdf
It's a remote horn (speaker) for a building-wide evacuation from the master building alarm panel. It doesn't have a battery backup.

russ_watters said:
What's a "mic"?
Could be a speaker used as a mic.


Could be a mic used as a speaker.
 
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  • #34
One other note is to be careful when throwing out 9V batteries, some house fires have been traced to these culprits.

Safety experts recommend placing electrical tape on the terminals to prevent a short. One expert even suggested adding the electrical tape to the battery case before installing it so you'll remember to tape over the terminal posts when removing it.

Another potential area is the family junk drawer where unused batteries, keys, tools... are often tossed. 9V batteries have been known to combust when a key, pen clip or paper clip shorts the terminals or even two batteries touching terminal to terminal.
 
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  • #35
jedishrfu said:
One other note is to be careful when throwing out 9V batteries, some house fires have been traced to these culprits.

Safety experts recommend placing electrical tape on the terminals to prevent a short. One expert even suggested adding the electrical tape to the battery case before installing it so you'll remember to tape over the terminal posts when removing it.

Another potential area is the family junk drawer where unused batteries, keys, tools... are often tossed. 9V batteries have been known to combust when a key, pen clip or paper clip shorts the terminals or even two batteries touching terminal to terminal.

Do not put a 9 Volt battery in your pants pocket with your keys. I don't know why but I had to do it twice before it was burned into my brain.
 
  • #36
edward said:
Do not put a 9 Volt battery in your pants pocket with your keys. I don't know why but I had to do it twice before it was burned into my brain.

Why do you wear your pants on your head?

As to the original question: You need to have the apartment building manager replace the alarms (or at least let him task the building's facility manager to do it). The apartment building manager needs to ensure ALL fire alarms are in working order since a dead smoke detector in one apartment could have a catastrophic effect on all of the residents. They should check the alarms once a year and replace the batteries often enough that a detector chirping would be a very rare occurrence.
 
  • #37
edward said:
Do not put a 9 Volt battery in your pants pocket with your keys. I don't know why but I had to do it twice before it was burned into my brain.
or change/coins. I did that, and it was amazing how fast and how hot it got.
 
  • #41
Greg Bernhardt said:
Put in brand new alarms and the speaker still chirps
jedishrfu said:
I found this reference that talks about resetting it since it may still retain the error code for a low battery

http://sacramentopress.com/2010/08/...ries-but-my-smoke-detector-wont-stop-beeping/
It doesn't appear to me that the speaker and your alarms are directly related to each other, so that isn't surprising to me.

If it is keeping you up at night and your landlord won't come immediately to fix it, I'd be inclined to rip it out of the wall.
 
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