If you have reviewed the trouble shooting section on this website then return your smoke alarm to the place of purchase for it to be replaced if it is in warranty.
The battery may need replacing. The smoke alarm will chirp at a regular interval, about once every minute, when the battery is weak or needs to be replaced. Replace with a fresh 9 Volt battery. Quell Alarms are certified to be used with the models of batteries specified in the user manual. Once the battery is replaced, the beeping or chirping should stop. After changing the battery, press and hold the test button for at least 15 seconds. The unit may chirp or alarm for a few seconds before going silent.
Many conditions that cause the smoke alarms to beep or chirp may also cause them to go into alarm when they sense smoke or something in the alarm chamber.
1) Age may be a factor. You should replace your alarm if it is over 10 years old. The date code can be found on the back of the alarm.
2) The alarm may be installed in a location prone to nuisance alarms. Such areas are:
– near kitchens where they may be exposed to smoke from cooking.
– near bathrooms or areas where they may be exposed to steam.
– areas that are very dusty, such as attics or garages.
– areas that are in direct airflow such as near a heating vent or return. Check the location of the smoke alarm; try re-installing it a few feet away. Nuisance alarms can also be caused by external contaminants.
3) There may be dust or insects in the alarm chamber. Even in clean environments dust will collect in the sample chamber. This will cause the alarm to be overly sensitive and cause it to go into alarm. Insects can have the same effect and the movement of the insects in and out of the chamber will cause the alarm to go into alarm. If the unit seems to go into alarm mostly at night, it is probably due to insects.
Check out our ‘how to’ tips to maintain your smoke alarm link video
4) Cleaning solvents (particularly ammonia), Latex paints, and high dust conditions associated with construction can cause the unit to go into alarm. Eliminate the condition and clean the alarm as specified in the user manual.
5) Reset the alarm – Most current model smoke alarms have a processor that retains certain error conditions, such as a weak battery. The error condition should reset when the battery is replaced but sometimes it does not and must be manually reset to clear the error.
To reset an AC unit with a battery backup: Remove the smoke alarm from the mounting bracket and disconnect the power. Remove the battery. Press and hold the test button for at least 15 seconds. The unit may chirp or alarm for a few seconds before going silent. Reconnect the power and reinstall the battery. The unit will chirp once when the power is restored and should not chirp afterwards.
To reset a DC only unit: Remove the battery. Press and hold the test button for at least 15 seconds. The unit may chirp or alarm for a few seconds before going silent. Reinstall the battery. The unit will chirp when the battery is first connected but should not chirp afterwards.
The blinking or flashing red light every 40-45seconds is normal operation. This is a battery test the unit performs. When the battery is weak the unit will beep or chirp approximately once a minute. We recommend replacing the battery or the smoke alarm if it has a long life battery.
The unit may go into alarm only when it is very cold out or if a door adjacent to a heated area is opened, such as in an entry way. Do not install in areas where the temperature is colder than 5°C or hotter than 45°C.
• Do not install in areas where of high humidity
• Do not install in areas with high airflow 9close to entry doors, near air conditions or fans)
The TEST button must be held for at least 3 seconds before the unit will begin its test sounding. If the smoke alarm does not go into alarm and it is an AC unit, replace it immediately. If the unit is a battery-powered unit and it does not sound, it may have a weak battery. If the unit does not sound with a fresh battery or there is any concern or question about the reliability of the unit, it should be replaced.
Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. If the unit is approaching the end of it’s service life, replace it. The manufactured date is stamped on the label located on the back of the unit.
If the Quell smoke alarm continues to alarm after attempting to activate the False Alarm Control™ feature, this means that there is too much smoke or CO present for this feature to activate.
Remember, this feature does not “turn off” the Smoke/CO Combo alarm, but rather only reduces its sensitivity for a period of time.
Smoke alarms are sensitive devices that are designed to respond to small particles of combustion (smoke). However, since smoke alarms do respond to particles in the air, they are susceptible to triggering an alarm when encountering particles in the air other than smoke. Typically, a build up of dust or debris in a smoke alarm may eventually result in a false alarm. Additionally, if small insects enter the internal detection chamber, the smoke alarm will sound. This is mostly prevalent in the late night hours when insects are most active. To help keep dust, debris and nesting insects out of the smoke alarm it is recommended to clean the alarm at least a couple times a year with a vacuum cleaner or a small can of compressed air. You should also avoid installation in areas where these types of particles are commonly present such as garages or near entry doors.
Different models will have a different frequency of flashes during standby. Sometimes the LED is difficult to see on standby as it is rapid and faint as to not disturb people trying to sleep.
Alarms with a model number starting with Q, require the alarm to be fitted to the mounting bracket for the alarm to be switched on and tested. There is a small square button on the back of the smoke alarm that is pushed down when on the bracket, this button is the power button on the device.
If you have removed the Quell CO alarm and removed the batteries (if the model is equipped with removeable batteries), the CO may still have a slight charge. To drain this charge, press and hold the test button for 10 seconds. If a beeping sound persists, there must be another device that is causing the beeping yet is less apparent than the CO alarm. Some such devices are a smoke alarm, a CO or smoke alarm in another location, or a cordless phone.