what can be causing my smoke detectors to sound if there is no apparent reason?

Question

They start sounding as if smoke triggered them but there is nothing of that sort, they go on for a couple of seconds and they stop on their own. This can continue for hours at a time (usually begins in the middle of the night) with intervals of 20 min to an hour between them.
How can I know which one is faulty (THERE ARE 9 IN MY HOUSE) and how can I make them stop?
I CAN'T STAND THIS ANYMORE!

I don't think is the batteries becuase I replaced them not so long ago (less than 6 months) and in the past if batteries was the reason, they will just beep, one short very audible beep, and so on every couple of minutes. This time is a full alarm, just as the real thing.

Answer 1

Nine detectors: are they wired together?

If so, then the one that is setting off everyone else probably has a flashing red light where the green light would be. Detach that detector from the network and the other ones should stop alarming. The offending detector will need replacing. Before you do, however, make sure that the box holding that detector is insulation and the hole where the wires come through is also sealed for moisture.

I had a problem a few years ago w/ a new house when a single detector set off all the detectors in the house. Called 911 and the local fire dept said it was a bad detector due to moisture coming through the box.

Answer 2

Check the batteries, as this is the activity I get when they are low. If you are not sure, replace them with a good new one and see if the process stops.

Other than batteries, check the air in your house. Sometimes alarms of this nature are triggered by dust and heat at that level of the house. Clean out the smoke alarm with a can of compressed air and see if this helps.

Answer 3

Get 9 - 9 volt batteries or whatever your smoke detector uses and change them all out. You should do this once a year because if you don't the battery loses its charge and the detector will go off at odd times and will drive you batty!! ::lucky only have 2reachable ones in the house::::
p.s. carbon monoxide detectors are very different.. I never heard of a 2 in 1.. ::::

Answer 4

That is generally caused by a build up of dust. I know this is a lot of work but vaccuum each one thoroughly and the problem should stop. The exact same thing happened at the group home I work in and after thoroughly vacuuming all 12 smoke alarms the problem ceased.

Answer 5

I had one do this (yours are probably all wired together to make sure everyone hears the alarm). It turned out that I had a spider that took up residence and walked on the sensor every so often. That triggered the alarm, just as you described. I was lucky -- I saw the spider once so I shook it out and killed it.

I'd suggest using a vacuum with a crevice nozzle on it to try and suck out any spider that might be in one of the nine.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

It sounds like you have dust in the ionization chamber.Get a can of compressed air and apply a few puffs into the slots of the steel box located on the circuit board. Repeat for each detector.

Answer 7

Check all the batteries, they should be changed every six months. Steam from a shower can set them off or if they are near an air vent.

Answer 8

Battery probably needs changing. This happened to a friend of mine and as soon as she changed the battery, the problem stopped.

Answer 9

Try new batteries since they might be low. Also clean the detectors out so they aren't covered in dust.

Answer 10

It sounds like you have a Carbon Monoxide problem in your place. You need to open your windows and get a fan and blow fresh air in throughout the entire place. Then you need to get someone in ASAP to check out where you are getting the excess Carbon Monoxide from. You need to do this ASAP or you may suffocate and die in your sleep.