False alarming is not normally a fault but is most commonly caused by cooking fumes, or by some dust or insect accumulation inside the alarm casing. Check the alarm is installed in the correct location and if so, remove it from the mounting bracket and vacuum it thoroughly according to instructions to remove any internal dust or insects. Concentrate the cleaner nozzle on any gaps or openings in the alarm casing where dust or bugs may have entered.

Please note, dust or insect contamination is not normally visible from outside the alarm.

Firstly rotate and remove the alarm from the ceiling bracket. Then using a mains-powered vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, suck around all gaps and openings of the alarm casing both front and back to dislodge anything inside the alarm. Before reinstalling, wipe the alarm down with a clean damp cloth. Once installed again test the unit is operational by depressing and holding the Test button until the alarm sounds (may take 5 or 6 seconds).

Smoke alarms are largely maintenance free. However all smoke alarm manufacturers recommend regular vacuuming of the casing to remove any dust build-up or insects from inside. We recommend a thorough vacuuming is carried out at least every 3 months to keep your alarm in top working condition.

If your alarm has a replaceable battery, we recommend this is replaced every 12 months. A good time to remember this is when daylight saving changes. We recommend alkaline batteries rather than the standard carbon zinc type.

You should not paint your smoke alarm. Most smoke alarms come with a warning marking on them that says “do not paint.” Paint can restrict airflow and cause the alarm to have difficulty detecting an emerging fire.

Smoke detectors are programmed to make a periodic chirping sound when the battery needs changing. We recommend using alkaline batteries for better performance. If you have a sealed battery 10yr alarm less than 8 years old that has started chirping, the alarm may have developed a fault. Contact your supplier.

If the alarm continues to chirp after battery replacement, remove the battery again. Then depress and hold in the Test button firmly for 10 seconds and release. Reinstall the battery, wait 10 seconds and test the alarm is working by depressing the Test button again. This clears any residual current and reboots the alarm.

Smoke alarms can be installed on the wall. However as smoke tends to rise to the ceiling first we recommend the ceiling as the safest option. If unable to mount on the ceiling, the higher on the wall the better, provided it’s not within 30cm of the ceiling. This is ‘dead air’ space where smoke does not accumulate.

We recommend you test your smoke alarm at least monthly to ensure it is working correctly. To test the alarm depress and hold the Test button until the alarm sounds (you may wish to cover the alarm grill with your fingers to reduce the loudness).

We recommend installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, living area and stairwell. If building or renovating, or if installing in a rental property, please refer to the applicable legislation.

Smoke alarms should not be installed in rooms that are humid or may give cooking fumes such as the kitchen, bathroom or laundry. Neither should they be installed in garages, workshops, attics or other dusty areas. In these areas we recommend installing heat alarms, which are not affected by humidity or dust.

All alarms will sound but only the activated alarm’s LED will flash.

If you have one or two old smoke alarms, these can be put in your general rubbish disposal. If you have a number of alarms to dispose of, you may want to ring your local council for recycling advice.

Yes – locating a smoke detector too close to air vents, windows, or doors where drafts can blow dust towards it can increase the chance of a false alarm. As a general rule, try and mount smoke alarms at least 1 metre away from any vents or extraction fans.