Guide · Fire alarm faults
Fire Alarm Faults and False Alarms
Most false alarms and fault warnings have a simple cause. Here is what to look for.
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Common causes of false alarms
- Cooking and steam. A smoke detector close to a kitchen or bathroom door.
- Dust and insects. Contamination of the sensing chamber, especially after building work.
- Ageing detectors. Sensitivity drifts over time and detectors need replacing at the end of their life.
- Damage or water ingress. Wiring, devices or call points that are damaged.
- Poor siting. A detector in a draught, near a heater or above a shower.
Fault warnings on the panel
A yellow fault light usually points to a power problem (mains or standby battery), an open or short circuit on a loop or zone, or a removed or failed device. The panel normally shows which zone or device. Note the message and the zone before calling.
What to do
Do not disable or cover detectors to stop the noise. Record the event in the logbook, and call us if the alarm repeats or the panel shows a fault. We trace the cause and fix it. Regular servicing prevents most problems. Urgent: 07405 361914.
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Questions we get asked
Before you call.
Can I silence the alarm myself?
The panel has a silence control for staff, but do not disconnect it or the batteries, and make sure the cause is investigated.
Why does the panel beep every few seconds?
Usually a fault warning, often a low battery or a power problem. Check the display and call us if it persists.
How often should detectors be replaced?
Manufacturers give a service life, commonly around ten years. We test them at each service and replace any that fail.
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