Can I monitor smoke alarm battery levels from my dashboard where I can see other alarm sensor status? And how does a smoke alarm communicate the fact it's low on batteries?
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In this regard, the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector both work almost the same as the other components (like the Entry Sensors). To further save battery power, the components do not constantly poll battery level, so there's no way to check that through the app.
But as soon as any sensor's battery goes below a low threshold, a signal will be sent to your Timeline. So if you have Smart Alerts enabled, you'll be notified right away. And you'll also be able to check on the Devices section of the app and webapp for an overview of all sensors.
The one difference about the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector is that they'll also chirp and show a flashing yellow light.
Instead of a "low battery" message, I had a full-on fire alarm triggered. How can I get a low battery alert for the smoke alarms, instead of a fire alarm? I can't find "Smart Alerts" anywhere, my system seems dumb.
@arizonaants not quite sure how that first part happened, and if it continues to happen you will want to get that potentially replaced.
I do think this link showing the light statuses and sounds will help illustrate the different warnings.
If there was no pre-warning message, it's very possible that it was an obstruction on the sensor that just so happened to happen at the same time there was a low battery. Doing my best to work with the information provided.
Here are the care instructions as well in the event those are relevant. One of the most common false alarm culprits is dust build up around the sensor.
The one difference about the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector is that they'll also chirp and show a flashing yellow light.
And the murphy's law of smoke detectors or CO detectors of any brand, made and sold by anyone anywhere is that this chirp will start at 3AM when you're dead asleep. :)
@davey_d feature request: it would be helpful if if the low battery notification was sent to my phone a short period of time before they start chirping and disturb guests and family. So the threshold for the notification could be a little higher than what is used for the chirping. Can the software be adjusted to help with this?
Has this been addressed? Although we have SimpliSafe for other products, this is not workable for a smoke alarm, so we will replace our discontinued Nest products with another brand if so.
Feature request: yea fully agree, the three ultra loud fire-alarm-like beeps that emanated from my base station at 4am were jarring to say the least. Entire family jumped out of their beds because we thought there was a fire. This was WAY worse than the typical smoke detector low battery beep — far louder, and three-in-a-row like an actual fire alarm.
I don’t think my heart can handle more alarms like this so I my not be using the simplisafe smoke detectors again until this js updated.
The signal sent by Simplisafe's smoke detectors having a low battery is FIRE!!! A piercingly loud alarm is sounding everywhere; my phone is getting Simplisafe's text messages, AND they're calling me on the phone. I can't hear their questions. I am in my own house and can't tell what the problem is.
Does Simplisafe warn everyone to EXPECT a fire alarm is the result most often of a low-battery (low-priority event) versus A FIRE? (highest priority)? What's the value of a smoke alarm yelling fire when there's no fire?
Same for me. They also send the fire department! Cancelling because of this reason. It's happened twice and even before they call the contact numbers they dispatch fire department.
@SimpliSafeIssueReporter has this issue been addressed? We need to replace our discontinued Nest smoke alarms, which provide a low battery warning via the app and thus allow you to avoid the chirping. However, this seems even worse than the chirping, so we will go with a different brand if this has not been addressed.
davey_d
Former Community Admin
•
5.7K Messages
In this regard, the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector both work almost the same as the other components (like the Entry Sensors). To further save battery power, the components do not constantly poll battery level, so there's no way to check that through the app.
But as soon as any sensor's battery goes below a low threshold, a signal will be sent to your Timeline. So if you have Smart Alerts enabled, you'll be notified right away. And you'll also be able to check on the Devices section of the app and webapp for an overview of all sensors.
The one difference about the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector is that they'll also chirp and show a flashing yellow light.
- Johnny M.
SimpliSafe Home Security
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worthing
765 Messages
And the murphy's law of smoke detectors or CO detectors of any brand, made and sold by anyone anywhere is that this chirp will start at 3AM when you're dead asleep. :)
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jdmann
1 Message
@davey_d feature request: it would be helpful if if the low battery notification was sent to my phone a short period of time before they start chirping and disturb guests and family. So the threshold for the notification could be a little higher than what is used for the chirping. Can the software be adjusted to help with this?
(edited)
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watermelonfelon
1 Message
Feature request: yea fully agree, the three ultra loud fire-alarm-like beeps that emanated from my base station at 4am were jarring to say the least. Entire family jumped out of their beds because we thought there was a fire. This was WAY worse than the typical smoke detector low battery beep — far louder, and three-in-a-row like an actual fire alarm.
I don’t think my heart can handle more alarms like this so I my not be using the simplisafe smoke detectors again until this js updated.
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mvcl
2 Messages
The signal sent by Simplisafe's smoke detectors having a low battery is FIRE!!! A piercingly loud alarm is sounding everywhere; my phone is getting Simplisafe's text messages, AND they're calling me on the phone. I can't hear their questions. I am in my own house and can't tell what the problem is.
Does Simplisafe warn everyone to EXPECT a fire alarm is the result most often of a low-battery (low-priority event) versus A FIRE? (highest priority)? What's the value of a smoke alarm yelling fire when there's no fire?
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rjc0312
1 Message
Exactly the same happened to me. So I will be replacing all the smoke batteries every 2 years, chirp or no chirp.
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josselynmeadow
3 Messages
@SimpliSafeIssueReporter has this issue been addressed? We need to replace our discontinued Nest smoke alarms, which provide a low battery warning via the app and thus allow you to avoid the chirping. However, this seems even worse than the chirping, so we will go with a different brand if this has not been addressed.
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