The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentions that around 50,000 US citizens visit the emergency department annually due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Because the colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas isn’t detectable, accidental CO poisoning is common. Luckily, CO detectors ensure safety by alerting people timely but might beep frequently.
A beeping carbon monoxide detector indicates a low battery, CO leak, false alarm, malfunctioning components, or a failing device.
Because CO is a silent killer, you must ensure the detector’s proper operation to keep your loved ones safe. This requires you to examine the device periodically and know several reasons why it may beep. It will help you take action on time and avoid accidents.
How Does a Carbon Monoxide Detector Work?
Carbon Monoxide is entirely unnoticeable. As a result, it can sneak up on anyone and deteriorate their health in split seconds. This explains why more US states are making CO detectors necessary in households. Around 27 US states require residents to have these devices in their homes.
Each device features a microchip that sends an electrical discharge upon detecting the gas. The CO sensor on the device detects and measures the carbon monoxide concentration in the surroundings.
If the sensor detects high CO levels, it will alert the residents with an alarm. While a few models are hung directly onto the walls, others are wired into an electrical system.
Reasons Why Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Keeps Beeping
While detecting CO gas is one of the major reasons behind a beeping device, it’s not always the case.
Therefore, if your CO detector starts beeping, do not panic.
Checking for flu-like symptoms in your family and contacting 911 is the first thing you should do. Also, try to move out of your property for fresh air.
Further, knowing why the CO detector beeps and how many times will help you spot the exact issue and not act on your instincts when the device triggers an alarm.
1. Low Battery
If your CO detector chirps loudly every 30 seconds, it indicates a dying battery. While this requires your attention, it is less frightening than a CO leak. Even if you have installed a robust battery in your CO detector, it will decay over time.
Once the battery drops below a specific threshold, the device will fail to perform its function and beep. Given the undetectable and toxic nature of CO gas, you must not sleep on low battery issues.
Fix
Replacing the battery is the only way to stop the shrill chirping. However, make sure you examine the existing batteries and purchase the ones compatible with your device. Otherwise, the batteries will fail to power the detector. As a rule of thumb, read the detector’s instruction manual to learn about the battery type that goes with the device. Further, you can contact the manufacturer to know which battery to buy. Besides, consider investing in quality batteries that do not run down anytime soon.
2. Carbon Monoxide Leak
A CO leak is one of the most important signals to watch out for. When the device detects carbon monoxide, it beeps loudly and non-stop with flashing red lights. Therefore, you won’t mistake the beep for anything else.
Because the alarm aims to alert everyone and make them evacuate quickly, the beep is loud enough for everyone to hear. So, whether you’re a heavy sleeper or have your earphones on, you’ll hear the CO leak beep.
Fix
CO detection on your property requires immediate action. Here are a few safety measures you can take during emergencies.
- Open all the doors and windows in your home.
- Move out of your property and take your family and pets outdoors, too
- Make sure you turn off any generator in your home
- Call 911 if anyone feels poisoning symptoms (stomach pain, trouble breathing, nausea, dizziness)
Note that you cannot do much to stop the beeping that results from a CO leak. When the danger subsides, and the device can no longer detect the gas, it will stop beeping on its own. The flashing red light will fade, too.
3. Shelf Life
The average life span of a carbon monoxide detector is 7 years. If you’ve owned a model for more than 7 years, it’s time to consider a replacement.
A relatively old model will produce non-emergency alarm sounds every 30 seconds. While the chirping isn’t as loud as a CO leak alarm, it isn’t comfortable to hear.
Fix
Adjusting the device’s internal components or replacing a battery won’t help. You must purchase a new CO detector for the device to perform to its maximum.
Make sure you buy from a reputable brand that equips the device with premium features and quality internal components. The higher the CO detector’s quality, the better it’ll perform to alert you in emergencies.
4. Internal Defects
While this isn’t a common problem, your device may suffer from internal defects. A technical issue generally causes the device to chirp or beep at regular intervals. You must fix it to ensure the detector’s optimal performance.
Fix
Refer to the instruction manual of the device you own. You’ll likely find information about the CO detector’s internal defects and ways to resolve them. If you cannot find relevant information in the user manual, consider contacting an experienced professional, ideally from the device’s company.
Having dealt with various carbon monoxide detector issues, professionals quickly spot an underlying defect and treat it on the go.
5. False Alarm
A false alarm is nothing to worry about. However, you must check the culprit to stop the beeping and avoid damaging the device.
The detector may trigger a false alarm if you place it closer to a gas stove or a fireplace. Because fuel-burning appliances generate a tiny amount of carbon monoxide, the device may detect it and start beeping.
Further, excessive moisture can also be a problem. When the CO detector comes into contact with mist and steam from the kitchen and bath, it may trigger a false alarm.
Besides, smoking heavily inside a room can also trigger the sensors.
Fix
While there might not be an immediate fix to a false alarm, you can take a few steps to ensure it doesn’t occur in the first place. Make sure you:
- Install the CO detector away from your bathroom and kitchen. Ideally, consider mounting one on every floor of your property and closer to the sleeping areas (bedrooms and living spaces). This will keep them from detecting small amounts of CO from fuel-burning appliances and moisture accumulation.
- Don’t let too much smoke gather around the carbon monoxide detector. Use exhaust fans occasionally and open windows regularly.
- Call an expert for periodic checkups to ensure the CO detector is moisture-free.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms You Must Know
Adults and infants alike are at risk of CO poisoning. Poor ventilation and multiple heating sources during winters increase the risk of carbon monoxide leaks. While flu is a common symptom, here are other symptoms to watch out for:
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Losing body control
- Fainting
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Difficulty breathing
What Can Falsely Set Off a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Several reasons can falsely trigger a carbon monoxide detector, from excessive moisture to fuel-burning appliances and lead acid battery charges to freshly screeded floors.
Avoid installing your CO alarm closer to the bathroom or any area that may produce excessive steam. Not only does it falsely set off the device, but the moisture may also damage its internal components.
Further, lead acid battery charges give off hydrogen gas that may trigger an alarm in CO detectors. This is crucial if you charge your boat battery on your property. Besides, freshly screeded floors produce gas that may trigger beeps in a CO detector.
What Level of Carbon Monoxide Sets Off the Alarm?
A low level of CO might take as long as 8 hours to trigger the alarm, but high CO levels beyond 150 ppm set off the alarm within a few minutes.
Because high levels of CO quickly affect your health, leading to deleterious health problems, the device detects the alarm soon after the gas leaks. Therefore, you would not experience CO toxicity if you have one installed on your property.
What Should I Do If My Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off?
Moving out from your property and immediately contacting 911 is the first thing you must do when your CO alarm goes off.
However, a CO alarm does not always indicate a carbon monoxide leak. If you familiarize yourself with the common types of beeps and what they mean, you’ll know whether it’s an emergency, a low battery, or a false alarm.
This would encourage you to take action according to the scenario. Of course, a low battery and a false alarm do not require you to call 911.
Can a Carbon Monoxide Alarm Go Off for No Reason?
Carbon monoxide cannot go off without reason. There is always an underlying issue that sets the alarm, from CO leak to excessive moisture and a low battery to heavy smoke within the property.
