How to tell if smoke detector has carbon monoxide detector

Fire and Carbon Monoxide Threats

Smoke and flames from a fire are easy to see, but a fire that begins in a vacant part of the house or starts in the middle of the night can spread undetected. Once a fire starts, it can grow quickly.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poses an invisible threat. It’s a colorless, odorless gas produced by any fuel-burning appliance or fixture, such as a furnace, water heater or fireplace. Carbon monoxide can build up in the home from malfunctions or improper venting in these devices. It can also accumulate if the home is sealed for energy efficiency, reducing the exchange of inside and outside air. An attached garage in which a vehicle is running can also allow carbon monoxide to enter the home. The gas is dangerous because it replaces the oxygen in the air and, when inhaled, creates a toxic compound in your body. For more on carbon monoxide, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s carbon monoxide poisoning information.

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are two tools that can help you protect your home and family from these threats, even when they occur in remote areas of the home or at night when everyone is asleep. You can purchase the devices separately or as combination units.

Caution

Keep dryer vents, furnace vents and fireplace chimneys clear. Have any appliance that burns fuel inspected yearly.

Power Options

Both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are available in hard-wired models that connect to your home wiring or battery-operated models. Carbon monoxide alarms are also available as models that plug into home electrical outlets. Look for battery backup capability in devices that run off of a home electrical system to keep the unit functioning during a power outage. Some smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms feature built-in power cells that are designed to last the life of the device.

Device Life Span

The life spans of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and combination units differ based on factors such as device type, model and where they’re installed. See the manual for specific information on when to replace a unit. In general, replace a smoke detector after no more than 10 years and a carbon monoxide alarm after no more than five years. Combination-unit life span typically ranges between five and seven years. If a device indicates an end-of-life condition, replace it immediately.

Caution

Don’t confuse the device’s life span with battery life. If a battery-powered unit doesn’t have a built-in power cell, replace the batteries at least once every six months. Write the installation date on the batteries with a permanent marker. Replace them at once if the device signals a low-battery condition. Use only battery types specified by the manufacturer.

Features and Specifications

There are several features to keep in mind when purchasing a smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm.

• Photoelectric and ionization sensors are two sensor types for smoke detectors. Photoelectric smoke detectors are typically more sensitive to particles generated by fires that smolder, such as those ignited by a cigarette in a bed or upholstery. Ionization smoke detectors tend to be more sensitive to particles generated by flaming fires, such as burning paper or grease. You can find smoke detectors that use one or the other type of sensor and some that use both. Smoke detectors that also function as carbon monoxide alarms will only have one type of smoke sensor. For protection against both types of fires, install ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors or detectors that use both types of sensor.
• Voice notification on carbon monoxide alarms and combination units lets you program the location of the device from preset selections. When the alarm sounds, the voice warning indicates the location and, for combination units, the type of threat detected.
• A linking feature allows you to connect compatible units so all linked units sound an alarm when one detects a threat. This functionality can warn of hazards in remote areas of the house. If you install units that link wirelessly, pay attention to the range and placement restrictions for the linking feature.
• Home-management-system compatibility lets you connect the device to some home-management systems to send mobile alerts when the alarm activates.
• A silencing feature allows you to temporarily stop an unwanted alarm for a specific time period.
• Audible status alerts, such as low battery and end of life, let you know when the device needs attention.
• A display screen shows status information, such as battery level, low battery and end of life for the device. When a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, some models display the carbon monoxide level recorded and, for combination units, the threat type. Some carbon monoxide alarms also display peak carbon monoxide levels recorded over a specific period of time.
• Smart smoke detectors are connected to the internet and offer fire protection through an app on your smartphone or another smart device, so you get alerts about an emergency whether you’re home or away.

Low-profile models, microdesign models and finish options allow the device to blend in with your home décor.

Smoke Detector Placement Installation

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct placement of your smoke and carbon monoxide detector. Locations include:

• Each floor of the home
• Each bedroom
• Each hallway close to sleeping areas — if a hallway is longer than 40 feet, place devices at both ends
• The top of the stairway
• The bottom of the stairway leading to the basement
• Each living area

Check your manual for installation locations to avoid and information on how far to install the devices from furnaces, heaters, stoves, water heaters, and other appliances and fixtures.

See Install a Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm to learn general steps for installing a battery-operated smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm.

Caution

Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms may be mandatory in your area. Check local codes for requirements on placement and the number of units that must be present in a home.

How to Stop Excessive Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detector Beeping

If your smoke or carbon monoxide detector is going off regularly when there are no signs of a fire or a carbon monoxide threat, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

• The battery might be loose, dying or installed incorrectly. Inspect it and check the use-by date.
• The alarm sensors may be dirty. Try wiping down the alarm and make a habit of dusting it every time you test it or change the battery.
  
• The unit may be installed near an open window or air vent. A draft can blow dust or pollen into the alarm sensors.
  
• The humidity in the area near the alarm may be too high. Steam from a hot shower can trigger an alarm if it’s too close to the bathroom.
  
• Your detector may be too close to cooking equipment. Steam or smoke from cooking or a burst of heat from an open oven door can trigger a smoke alarm if it’s too close to the stove. Check the instructions for recommended positioning.
  
• Your detector may need to be replaced. Check the user manual to see how many years your detector is meant to last.
  

Why Is My Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Detector Beeping Intermittently?

If your carbon monoxide or smoke alarm keeps beeping sporadically, check the instructions to see what each specific beep pattern means. This will vary by manufacturer and detector model, but here are some common alert examples and their meanings:

• One beep every 30 or 60 seconds could mean the battery needs to be changed or might be installed incorrectly.
  
• Several beeps per minute might indicate the detector is old and needs to be replaced.
• Multiple, consistent beeps followed by a short pause means a threat has been detected.

Smoke Detector Battery Replacement

It’s typically very easy to replace a smoke detector battery. To stop your detector from chirping due to a battery issue, check the manufacturer’s instructions for the battery type and installation details. Although the steps may vary slightly by model, here’s what you’ll typically need to do.

Instructions

Other Considerations

Make sure you and your family are familiar with the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your home:

• Learn the available features and how to use them.
• Understand how the units respond to threats so you can quickly interpret alarms.
• Learn how the device indicates situations, such as loss of power, low batteries and end of life.
• Know the life span and initial power-up date of each unit and replace units at the proper time. Some units alert you when they reach the end of their life span.
  
• After an alarm, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for resetting or replacing your device.