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One of our smoke detectors is giving the “fault” chime

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/7250025984

February 14, 2022, 04:36 PM
mark123
One of our smoke detectors is giving the “fault” chime
3 short beeps about once per minute. They are all 9 years old First Alert. I figure if I’m going to replace the faulted one, I may as well replace them all.

I’d like to have CO detection this time around as well. We’ve had about 3 false alarms over the 9 years with these. So maybe something a little more accurate.

Any suggestions for brand and model?? Thanks.
February 14, 2022, 04:41 PM
HRK
Installed One Link units (we have 3) that connect together, connect to wifi and an app, works pretty well, has an LED night light built in, you set its intensity or off, makes a good hall way light. Both smoke, and Carbon detector

Put a One Link in my dads place as well, replaced the old outdated units, connected to his phone and mine. he's 84 and I wanted a monitorable unit there

Link to One Link

Installed a Nest Smoke and Carbon detector at the daughters house, similar to the OneLink, less expensive, similar options, app, voice alert, led light ring that acts as a night light.

Link to Nest
February 14, 2022, 04:58 PM
Sig2340
Good idea replacing all of them.

It beats repairing the holes from trying to shoot the offending beeper with a 12 gauge at 0315.





Nice is overrated

"It's every freedom-loving individual's duty to lie to the government."
Airsoftguy, June 29, 2018
February 14, 2022, 05:09 PM
4MUL8R
I converted to Simplisafe. Much easier to comprehend than stand-alone units. I have them in every bedroom and landing. Integrates with the alarm, and as you may recall, the alarm will cause the fire department to arrive post haste.


-------
Trying to simplify my life...
February 14, 2022, 05:22 PM
Skins2881
They need to be replaced at the ten year mark anyways, of course replace them all. Are yours battery powered or are they hard wired interconnected units? Would you like additional coverage, or are you up to current code? Current code is a minimum of one per floor regardless of if there's a bedroom or not. One inside of every bedroom and combination Smoke/CO in the area directly outside of bedrooms. If the bedrooms are more than 25' apart then you'll need a second, third , or fourth combo unit depending on your house layout. Lastly do you want your smoke detectors tied to the internet or not?



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
February 14, 2022, 06:02 PM
frayedends
I can get the brand my wife the realtor puts in houses. She uses a plumbing supply rather than a box store. I’ll reply later when I see her. Timing is perfect for you anyhow. In Massachusetts you can’t sell a place if they are more than 10 years old




These go to eleven.
February 14, 2022, 07:38 PM
mark123
I’m not interested in running power so I’d rather stay battery-powered. Not going to run Ethernet. Don’t want Alexa integration. Not sure I want auto emergency dispatch considering the false alarms we’ve experienced. I don’t see the point of WiFi integration.


Just a plain CO/smoke detector.
February 14, 2022, 08:34 PM
onegeek
Having them connect to each other would be a good thing though.
February 14, 2022, 08:37 PM
2PAK
Replace. If you order it from Amazon, you will usually get it the next day. Amazon seems to get detectors out the door very quickly.
February 14, 2022, 08:55 PM
mdblanton
I switched to the lithium battery powered model late last year when I needed new one. No need to change battery annually. Supposed to be good for about 10 years then just just replace the entire unit (it will give a warning when it’s time to replace). About $20/ea. at Lowe’s.
February 15, 2022, 12:55 AM
mark123
quote:
Originally posted by onegeek:
Having them connect to each other would be a good thing though.
Can you tell which is giving a false alarm if they’re all going off?

Also, I don’t use Amazon. No purchases from them, no Alexa in my house.
February 15, 2022, 01:00 AM
mark123
quote:
Originally posted by mdblanton:
I switched to the lithium battery powered model late last year when I needed new one. No need to change battery annually. Supposed to be good for about 10 years then just just replace the entire unit (it will give a warning when it’s time to replace). About $20/ea. at Lowe’s.
i was just reading about those. I’d be glad to not have to swap batteries. The ones I saw were Kidde brand at Sam’s Club but they are completely sold out. Maybe I’ll look at Lowe’s.
February 15, 2022, 01:16 AM
Schmelby
I've bought quite a few of the ones that are good for ten years.
I don't think a single one has lasted more than two or three years.
You have to break them to get them to shut up.
February 15, 2022, 01:26 AM
mark123
quote:
Originally posted by Schmelby:
I've bought quite a few of the ones that are good for ten years.
I don't think a single one has lasted more than two or three years.
You have to break them to get them to shut up.
Thanks for that. Not worth it if they don’t last the full length.
February 17, 2022, 01:55 PM
Skins2881
quote:
Originally posted by mark123:
I’m not interested in running power so I’d rather stay battery-powered. Not going to run Ethernet. Don’t want Alexa integration. Not sure I want auto emergency dispatch considering the false alarms we’ve experienced. I don’t see the point of WiFi integration.


Just a plain CO/smoke detector.


Do you have any that are hardwired or will they all be battery powered?

If you have no existing hardwired and do not want sealed lithium battery units, your choices are pretty slim, they are being fazed out.

Smokes

Combo units

It appears the combo units are currently cheaper, so you could get all combos and it would be cheaper. Just remember since they are going away, if one fails the manufacturer may not have a replacement to send you. You options open up a little more if you are willing to consider 10 year sealed Li ion units.

ETA:

Here is a second brand, the combos and smoke only appear to be same price, so you could do all combos.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
February 17, 2022, 02:48 PM
Flash-LB
quote:
Originally posted by mark123:
quote:
Originally posted by onegeek:
Having them connect to each other would be a good thing though.
Can you tell which is giving a false alarm if they’re all going off?

Also, I don’t use Amazon. No purchases from them, no Alexa in my house.


Yes. The one going off flashes a red LED and the others don't.

At least that's how mine work.
February 17, 2022, 02:54 PM
SIGnified
The sensors often get dirty with Dustin pet dander. 20 seconds with the hairdryer on cool setting will clear it right up.





"Pacifism is a shifty doctrine under which a man accepts the benefits of the social group without being willing to pay - and claims a halo for his dishonesty."
~Robert A. Heinlein
February 17, 2022, 02:57 PM
recoatlift
quote:
Originally posted by Schmelby:
I've bought quite a few of the ones that are good for ten years.
I don't think a single one has lasted more than two or three years.
You have to break them to get them to shut up.


That’s when ya break out the big ass hammer and start the therapy seeion with Mr. Detector!
No more chirping!
February 17, 2022, 03:02 PM
mark123
quote:
Originally posted by SIGnified:
The sensors often get dirty with Dustin pet dander. 20 seconds with the hairdryer on cool setting will clear it right up.
The wife thinks us male-folk are animals but there are no others in the place. Big Grin
February 17, 2022, 03:13 PM
Skins2881
quote:
Originally posted by mark123:
quote:
Originally posted by SIGnified:
The sensors often get dirty with Dustin pet dander. 20 seconds with the hairdryer on cool setting will clear it right up.
The wife thinks us male-folk are animals but there are no others in the place. Big Grin


That doesn't matter, dust gets everywhere. Just today we had to engage a elevator tech and fire alarm tech to troubleshoot a false alarm last night that caused fire trucks to roll. Got in this morning and swapped unit, the amount of dust on it was alarming.

A can of air is your friend. We'd blow them out, but we aren't allowed in the elevator pit unless an elevator tech has disabled it. So we now have to schedule our annual fire alarm and elevator maintenance on same day to make sure it's done every year.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis