We have a problem with the smoke detector in our bedroom. (Of course the highest one) It goes off every couple of days. We open it up with a long handled rod and then close it and push the test button(?) and then it stays off for awhile. Our daughter came over, got on a ladder and replaced the battery. I tested the removed one and it was still good, 9 volts and probably the original from 2018 when we moved in. 

Question

How do other people test and replace those batteries if they are not supposed to be on a ladder?

What else could cause the beep if it is not the battery?

Are there instructions for the smoke detetor?

 

Are there instructions for the smoke detetor?

 

Too fast typing .

 

Are their instructions for the smoke detector?

We have had all sorts of trouble with our bedroom smoke detector, even after replacing the original one with a new model with a 10-year battery. I think minor environmental things like dust and such trips it off. We also can't climb ladders for a variety of reasons, so their position is a maintenance nightmare for us. 

 

After our third episdode of false alarms (always in the middle of the night, of course), we paid someone to remove the installed smoke alarms and cover each hole with a small plate (same size as for a standard light switch) and installed new smoke detectors just over the door (also with 10-year batteries, ran us about $18 each). I can get on a chair to service those if necessary. So far, we haven't had a false alarm.

 

We have given up a small amount of safety by not placing them in their ideal location, that is, at ceiling level. On the other hand, if one of them goes off, we'll see if there's a fire in the house. The old ones were such a problem that when they went off we stopped checking for fire because we knew it was a false alarm.

 

We also have a high quality fire/smoke alarm installed and maintained by ADT as part of our security package. An additional benefit of that alarm is that if goes off, ADT notifies the fire department right away. We have never had a false alarm with that unit.

 

I hope this helps. Like you, I don't know why the bedroom fire alarm was such a problem, I'm sure it's something environmental. Ours too was a nightmare.

 

Fortunately, I have not had any issues with any of my smoke detectors and I don??™t have any solutions to offer regarding your problems with them. However, re: changing the batteries??¦Every fall I have the inside of my windows cleaned. Every other year I ask the window cleaners, who already have brought ladders etc in for cleaning the trapezoid window, to also change all the batteries (and any ceiling can lights that have bulbs that may be out). Could be that I could get another year or two out of the batteries, but the small add on cost the window cleaners charge is worth it to give me peace of mind knowing it??™s unlikely my detectors will go off in the middle of the night, or anytime, other than a real fire, of course. Alternatively, this process could also be carried out in spring if that??™s when you have the inside of your windows cleaned.