Expert: Dave Neuweiler - 2/22/2006

Question
my smoke detectors (hardwired and battery w/back-up) started sounding in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. Batteries had all been replaced about 4 months ago. A good friend tells me she and her neighbor were both experiencing the same problem. I started asking around and in just a couple of hours got the names of 20 homeowners in our new development with the same issues. What's the deal?

Answer
Hello Liz, and thanks for your question.

Smoke detectors require a little bit of maintenance; changing the backup batteries about once a year, and having a periodic cleaning.

How often a detector needs to be cleaned not only depends on the type of detector itself, but on the environment in which it resides. For example, in a household with smokers, or a household using oil heat, the length of time between cleanings is reduced.

The recommended frequency and the method of cleaning will be found in the detector's instructions. Homeowners often don't have the instructions, so an Internet search is the best bet. You'll need to find the brand name and model number to do this.

It's interesting that so many folks are having similar experiences. Could it be that all the houses were built around the same time, and by the same builder? If so, I'd expect to see the same detectors being used in all the houses.

Since you mentioned that your detectors (plural) went off, I'd point out that it's a standard practice (and often a requirement) that when one detector trips, that ALL the detectors sound off. They are interconnected to make this possible. So the likelihood is that a single detector is causing the problem.

If I were to guess, it'll be the one closest to the kitchen or furnace room (or fireplace, if you have one) that gets dirtiest the quickest.

Liz, I hope this helps, and if you send me the make and model, I'm happy to try and find the instructions for you.

Best Regards,

Dave