‎Smoke detector keeps going off | SimpliSafe Help Center
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cathandsal

6 Messages

Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 7:44 PM

Smoke detector keeps going off

Last night, while cooking dinner at about 6:30, we set off the smoke alarm, and I'll admit, we have done this about half a dozen times before. It had been fine up until last night, but, since then, it has gone off three more times: just before midnight, this morning at 6:50, and again a few moments ago. (I had the call center set it to test mode after the 6:50 alarm this morning so as to avoid false alarms to the fire dept while we're at work.)

I did see some other posts about cleaning these detectors, but didn't really see any steps on how to do so. Has cleaning helped resolve this problem for anyone? If not, does anyone have other suggestions (besides being a better cook?)

Question

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Updated 

8 months ago

2.6K

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lance843

Advocate

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790 Messages

4 years ago

I think i saw where you just use canned air and gently blow it in there but its been awhile. Thats why i haven't gotten one because of all the false alarms i have been reading but i really wish ss would just make a smoke detector listener so if your regular smoke detector goes off it will but hopefully someone who has been through this will chime in

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dandydons

368 Messages

4 years ago

I followed @captain11 advice.

I have 5 smoke detectors.

Every month I follow this process.

1. Call monitoring to put your test and put system to test for 30 mins
2. Remove detector (which sets off detector)
3. Press down on catch to stop detector screaming!
4. Use air can round it pressing gently and not holding trigger down long (or water comes out)
5. Put it back up. Make sure no solid yellow light appears
6. Press test on device

Repeat x other 4.  

Never had alarm go off at all.

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cathandsal

6 Messages

I cleaned it yesterday evening as you suggested, and it hasn't gone off since. Thank you!!

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4 years ago

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sevensiamesecats

Advocate

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2.2K Messages

4 years ago

None of mine have gone off (despite NOT keeping up with the specified cleaning).  However I found that cutting drywall fills the air far and wide with fine particulates which DOES set them off.  Had it happen twice; now I take down the sensor and remove the battery when I have to cut drywall.  I understand this won't work with SS3 (doesn't taking down the sensor set it off)

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dandydons

368 Messages

4 years ago

Your welcome @cathandsal

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mdaycoc

2 Messages

3 years ago

My base is experiencing these same thing.  The SD does not alarm so it doesn't seem to be a cleaning problem with the detector.  Only the base alarms with a notice on the screen.

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usmaak

335 Messages

3 years ago

I have a smoke detector that is still in the box.  I meant to return it but never got around to it.  I decided not to install it because of all of the reports of false alarms.  My town charges a hefty fee for false alarms and I don't want to have to deal with that.

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sevensiamesecats

Advocate

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2.2K Messages

3 years ago

Yes, a hefty fee for a false alarm would be bad.  Dying in a fire would be worse, but I presume you have "normal" smoke detectors.

Nobody was at home at my sister's house when a "wall wart" caught fire.  Her stand-alone smoke detectors went off, but nobody was at home to hear them.  By the time the fire department got there and controlled things, the house was gutted and most of the contents unusable.  Good thing she didn't get hit with a false alarm fee...

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usmaak

335 Messages

3 years ago

I have a wired smoke/CO detector system with detectors on every level and in most rooms.  This is why I wish that SS had a listening device like Ring does.  Nobody should have to get a second set of smoke and CO detectors to work with an alarm system. Options should be there to provide either.  I would gladly buy listening devices.  I almost went with Ring just based on this, but overall I thought that SS offered the better package.  I still feel this way five months later.

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mgagliar

2 Messages

1 year ago

So it seems SS has not improved their smoke detectors. I've had mine for 9 months, with no issue. Now in the past 2 days I've had 5 false alarms, from 2 different detectors. With my property being a rental, this is now becoming a major problem. I have had the guests take out the battery on the detector with most of the false alarms, as just putting it in "test" mode via Tech support only prevents the call center and the fire dept from getting the alarms. With the sensor removed from the base and the battery out, I would've expected the app to show this condition . . . . but no, it says the sensor is working fine. Not sure what to do at this point. Cleaning them regularly seems odd (don't have to do that with regular smoke detectors), and if that was the issue, it would seem they ALL should be having this issue, not just two of them. Any help would be appreciated.

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jjjjj

1 Message

10 months ago

I set off one smoke detector with kitchen smoke. That evening just before midnight and again at 6:50am our system alarmed at the base unit. The smoke detector did not alarm either of the two false alarms. It was deactivated with the entryway wall unit. 

The timing of these reports seems identical to the report above. Software issue? 

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timchoo

3 Messages

9 months ago

Mine went off randomly for no reason whatsoever (no one in the room, perfectly clean air…). I’ve since removed the smoke detector from my system and relegated it to the junk drawer. Back to the reliable kiddie wired detectors. 

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lance843

Advocate

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790 Messages

9 months ago

This is the one main reason I will not use the simplisafe smoke detector as to many false alarms and the constant cleaning of them so I have went the route of using all of our alexas and have them on away guard mode for glass and to hear our regular smoke alarm and I tried it and man it works so if we are gone and I get the alert from alexa I just look into all the cameras and if I see something fire wise then I will call the fire department 

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jeffsonoma

3 Messages

@lance843​ one of these days maybe they will get smoke detectors that work. Having the fire department show up for no reason and charging you $500 is a reason to get rid of the system in itself. Simplysafe, fix it, quit making bs excuses about the location (we are not stupid) or cleaning the unit weekly (which is ridiculous) or you will lose thousands of customers. if you asked for pictures of where the smoke detectors are, maybe you would determine that your suggestions are not valuable. one more false alarm we are done. adt and cox dont have these issues like you do

(edited)

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9 months ago

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Travii1

1 Message

@jeffsonoma​ Exactly.  I've swapped out two SDs already.  The technical support's responses about placement and  having to clean your smoke detector weekly is garbage.  I have had home security systems with smoke detectors from two other companies (SafeTouch, and ADT) for almost 20 years.  As much as I've hated ADT's equipment over the past 13 years, I never once had to clean the Smoke or CO2 detectors, nor was I ever worried about locations of sensors.  I simply tested them every 6 months.  I've never had a false alarm with a smoke detector until my recent move and installing Simplisafe in my current home.  Since installing, I've had 4 false smoke alarms in 3 months.  This is ridiculous.  I'm ready to send all the SDs back, which is a damn shame, considering how well everything else seems to work.  As I'm reading a TON of horrible threads regarding the exact same problems on this site and Redditt, I would think you (SIMPLISAFE) are looking into solutions for this.  Please tell me you are looking for a replacement solution to this crappy model of Smoke Detector...  

(edited)

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8 months ago

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timchoo

3 Messages

9 months ago

I had no idea that echo devices had this “guard” mode. I’m ordering one right now! This is a great replacement for the smoke detector and glass break sensor. Thanks!

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lance843

Advocate

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790 Messages

@timchoo​ yes in my amazon app ypu have to enable this feature in guard section and then all I do is when we are leaving I just yell, ALEXA, I AM LEAVING, then they all say OK I will start guarding now and a light will come on and you get a notification on your phone saying it's armed in away and is ready and listening, when I get home I just yell alexa I'm home then she says OK I will stop guarding now, it's awesome 

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9 months ago

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captain11

Captain

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5.4K Messages

User of 7 smoke sensors and never had a false alarm, like sevensiamese cats. Yes, I do clean them every other month with cans of compressed air (a case of 8 at Costco is pretty cheap) and 1 can lasts a year. Again, no issues and cleaining takes under 10 minutes.

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9 months ago

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davey_d

Community Admin

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4.8K Messages

@captain11​ you know, I've been very lax on my own system maintenance and rarely ever clean my Smoke Detectors. I just made sure to keep them in a more open spot on my ceiling, away from any direct airflow. The only false alarms I've had with them were from my culinary hijinks!

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9 months ago

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