Know the Sound

Beep, beep, beep. Intermittent chirping. Do you know what your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are telling you?

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Services urges all residents to understand their particular smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and react accordingly: your life may depend on it. An alarm sounding with a rapid and continuous beep indicates an emergency and you should immediately evacuate and call 9-1-1.

Intermittent chirps every 15-60 seconds usually indicates a low battery, end-of-life or other detector faults. If safe to do so, residents are encouraged to read the instructions on the back of their alarm or reference the manual to understand what the signal means.

If in doubt, or a dangerous condition exists, exit the building immediately and call 9-1-1.

What happens if I can’t find my manual?
Please determine the manufacture and model number of your alarm, this can be found on the back of your alarm. Search the manufacture and model number of your alarm and you should find an online copy of the manual. You may also contact the manufacture via phone or website. If you have questions about the make or model, please do not hesitate to call our office via the number below.

Common factors that cause unwanted or intermittent alarms (Please consult your particular manufacturers manual on how to fix the issue)

1. Dust - Can accumulate within the alarm itself

2. Placement - If alarms are too close to bathrooms or cooking appliances, steam can cause nuisance alarms. Also being too close to vents in the house can cause dust build up 

3. Low Battery - A battery must be changed in your alarm once a year and/or whenever the low battery warning is heard. If your alarm has a sealed battery, the battery does not need to be replaced as it is designed to last the life of the alarm.

4. Age/ End-of-life - Residential alarms only last 5-10 years depending on the manufacturer. Please consult your manual or manufacturer's webpage for specific dates. By law, they must be changed by the end of life timeframe.

5. Alarm malfunction – If your alarm is not functioning as intended consult your alarm manufacture. If the alarm is required to be replaced, replace it immediately. Never sleep anywhere without working alarms.  

What is an end-of-life alarm signal? A signal to alert you that your alarm is expired and must be replaced immediately. This countdown to the end-of-life alarm signal begins at the activation of your alarm. It is important to write the date of installation and replacement date on your alarm. Replacing the battery will not stop the beep. The beep will only stop when the alarm is out of power. *Note- not all alarms are equipped with this signal, it is important to check the date on all alarms during monthly testing. 

Best smoke alarm to install or buy? The Fire Code requires that smoke alarms meet the Canadian Standard CAN/ULC-S531.  Any smoke alarm that has the ULC mark is suitable for home use. CO alarms are required to meet the Canadian Standards Association CSA 6.19-01.

Smoke alarms may be battery operated or electrically hardwired. If smoke alarms are electrically hardwired and/or interconnected to other smoke alarms, it is important and required to replace them with electrically hardwired and/or interconnected alarms if replacement is required.

Consult a licensed electrician or alarm technician for concerns with electrically hardwired smoke alarms

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service Office: 705-324-5731
Email: fireprevention@kawarthalakes.ca
Fire Prevention Officer: 705-324-5731 extensionh 545
Fire Public Educator: 705-324-5731 extension 586