If the smoke alarm at your Bristol home is beeping intermittently, it needs a new battery. If that smoke alarm is hardwired, you’ll need a qualified electrician to replace it. Want to know the average cost? A single like for like replacement smoke alarm will cost in the region of £95-£150.
My smoke alarm is beeping. What do I do?
If your smoke alarm is beeping and you don’t know what to do, the first thing to do is press the test button to silence it whilst you take a closer look. Next, you’ll need to check whether it is a hardwired or battery powered model. If it is a battery powered model, then that battery will need to be replaced. If it’s a hardwired model that is beeping, then the whole unit will need to be replaced. If you’re unsure, your local electrician will be best placed to help you.
We recently helped a customer in the Gloucester Road area of Bishopston, Bristol whose smoke alarm was beeping intermittently. She wasn't sure why it kept beeping, or what she needed to do next. We explained that in most cases, intermittent beeping from a smoke alarm is caused by low battery power or a fault within the unit. As the customer was concerned that her home wasn’t properly protected in case of fire we came out to her home quickly to have a look and identify the issue.
How often should I replace my smoke alarm?
Smoke alarms should be replaced at least every 10 years. This applies to both hardwired and battery powered units. If you take a look at the smoke alarm in your Bristol home, you’ll see there is an expiry date printed there by the manufacturer. Always replace the unit by that date. One caveat to note is that battery powered smoke alarms will need a new battery long before that 10 years is up, usually every year. In their case, the 10 years is about how long the detector can be expected to function properly before it needs to be replaced.
In the case of our customer in Bishopston, whilst the battery was the cause of the beeping, the whole unit needed to be replaced as it had also expired.
Are hardwired alarms better than battery powered ones?
Hardwired smoke alarms give you additional peace of mind compared to battery powered ones. Both work in the same way when it comes to detecting smoke, but a hardwired smoke alarm has two power sources, mains power and a backup battery to be used in the event of a power cut. This additional peace of mind is what led our customer in Bishopston to upgrade her home’s smoke alarm to a hardwired one. She wanted that additional layer of protection for her family, especially as her home was mid terrace and could easily be affected by a fire breaking out in a neighbouring property.
It’s important to note that both kinds of smoke alarms must be regularly tested to ensure they are working correctly. Our top tip is to set a reminder or make a note for the first of every month to test yours.
Smoke alarm installation in Bristol
If you are concerned about the smoke alarm in your Bristol home, EMC Electrical Group are happy to help. We’ve installed countless smoke alarms in private dwellings, rented homes and student accommodation. Our fully qualified team of electricians are well versed in the regulations surrounding smoke alarm installation and will ensure your home and family are properly protected.
If your smoke alarm is beeping, or you want to learn more about installing a smoke alarm, contact us today.
