First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm 3 Beeps

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Carbon monoxide alarms are a life saver…literally! Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that is created from fuel burning appliances, such as your furnace or generators. Having the proper amount of CO alarms helps you achieve peace of mind for the safety and protection of your family. However, it is important to be educated to know how your alarm communicates with you. There are several reasons as to why your carbon monoxide alarm could be chirping. Learn what each type of chirp from your detector indicates.

Ensure The Battery Drawer Is Closed

If you have a First alert smoke alarm and the battery drawer is open or slightly deformed, it could be sending signals that there is a problem.

To check if the drawer is truly open, you can push it inwards and apply mild force. If the beep does not appear after 3-4 minutes, then the drawer is most likely not open.

If the First Alert smoke alarm drawer is not closing fully, you may be able to fix the beeping problem by applying pressure to tighten the enclosure.

If you cannot see any openings or deformation damage, move on to the next solution.

What Does an End-of-Life Beep Mean?

Most carbon monoxide alarms last between 5 and 7 years. Even if the battery is still good, all carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced after 7 years. This is because the sensor in the alarm will not work as well, and when it comes to detecting CO, you want an alarm with a high functioning sensor. However, with today’s technology, the 10-year battery powered CO alarm can provide a decade of detection.

First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm 3 Beeps

Solution #2 Replace The Backup Battery

While it is a rare occasion, the backup battery could sometimes send false signals, thus making your alarm indicate a hardware failure.

In that regard, the fastest way to exclude this possibility would be to replace the inbuilt battery and test.

Note: First Alert smoke alarm requires 9V or AA batteries.

Here is how to replace the battery:

  • Unplug the alarm from the power.
  • Dismount the alarm from the wall/ceiling.
  • Locate the battery drawer and open it.
  • Take out the old batteries.
  • Insert the new batteries and close the drawer.

    • Once the replacement is done, plug the alarm into the power and wait for 3-4 minutes to check if the beeping is still there.

    Alert: It is extremely important to make sure that the battery’s pulses are facing the right direction, otherwise you’ll definitely hear 3 beeps every 3-4 minutes.

    FAQ

    What does 3 beeps mean on a First Alert carbon monoxide detector?

    2. Three beeps, at 15-minute intervals = MALFUNCTION. The unit is malfunctioning. Contact the manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased the alarm.

    Why is my alarm beeping 3 times?

    Smoke detectors beep three times when they go into alarm mode. The beeping is a repeating pattern of three beeps and a pause. This pattern is common with all smoke detectors. The three beeps are caused by smoke, steam, or dust trapped inside the smoke detector.

    What does a carbon monoxide detector beeps 3 times every 30 seconds?

    While it’s important to call 9-1-1 if your CO alarm is sounding continuously without stopping, a CO alarm that chirps every 30 seconds is not an emergency. It probably means your CO alarm has reached its end of life and should be replaced. CO alarms have a life expectancy of around seven years.

    What does 4 beeps mean on a First Alert carbon monoxide detector?

    4 Beeps and a Pause: EMERGENCY. This means that carbon monoxide has been detected in the area, you should move to fresh air and call 9-1-1.