The smoke alarm should be operating once fresh batteries are installed. Testing procedures: You can test your smoke alarm by pushing the Test/Hush button on the cover and holding it down for a minimum of 5 seconds. This will sound the alarm if the electronic circuitry, horn and battery are working. DO NOT use an open flame to test your smoke alarm, you could damage your alarm or ignite combustible materials and start a fire. Test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure proper operation. Erratic or low sound coming from your smoke alarm may indicate a defective alarm, and should be returned for service (refer to your warranty).

Typically, smoke alarms should not be disposed of with your regular domestic waste. They should be disposed of in accordance with WEEE regulations. Single alarms can be disposed of in the household waste stream if your local recycling has no special smoke alarm arrangements, but ideally they should be taken to your local recycling facility and disposed of alongside other small electrical equipment.

Kidde recommends a minimum of one smoke alarm per floor, and one per bedroom or sleeping area, so for a typical 3-bedroom home on two levels we would recommend at least 5 working smoke alarms. Alarms can be sensitive to cooking smoke and heat from a kitchen and steam from a bathroom. Consider installing alarms away from these rooms if possible to avoid potential nuisance alarms.

When the alarm senses smoke and goes into alarm mode, the pulsating alarm will continue until the air is cleared. If you have a fire you should evacuate, making sure all occupants are accounted for and evacuated. Contact 999 for assistance. Do not reenter until advised it is safe to do so by the emergency services.

Smoke alarms should be mounted in or near bedrooms and living areas, either on the ceiling or the wall. Ceiling mounting is typically preferred as it allows the smoke alarm to be placed more centrally in the room. If wall mounting is used it is best to use an inside wall to avoid thermal air currents that can occur along hot or cold walls.

Our smoke, carbon monoxide and combination alarms have been tested and will perform between 40 degrees and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4ºC - 37.8ºC). Reasonable exposure within these temperatures will not cause permanent damage. We do not recommend operating these alarms at, or outside these limits

Smoke alarms can be activated by steam and by the buildup of dust. During installation avoid any dust from drilling holes to enter the alarm. Do not install close to sources of steam. Do not install in a dusty environment.

Your smoke alarm may sound when it’s very cold outside, or if a door adjacent to a heated area is opened, like in an entryway. This is due to condensation (water vapor) in the detection chamber. The sensor is a particle sensing device, when water condenses in the sensor the unit will go into alarm.

It is not easy for this to be concluded. There are lots of 'un-known' factors such as smoke density, duration, and ventilation.

Alarms are approved by an independent body. There are lots of 'un-known' factors such as smoke density, duration, ventilation, etc which could cause your alarm to appear faulty. Positioning is also important. The room may be smoky but the smoke which has to rise may not have reached the alarm.

Check that it is being held down for at least 2 - 3 seconds, after which the alarm should sound. If not it is faulty and should be replaced. Please contact our customer service team to discuss further

We recommend you always refer to the product label found on the back of your alarm, or the user's manual, to identify which type, brand and battery model is recommended for your specific alarm. Alarms require fresh and powerful batteries and sometimes off-brand batteries, or those that have been sitting on the shelf for several years, will not be powerful enough and may cause your alarm to go into low-battery mode.

• The battery may be loose or improperly installed. Verify that a battery of the recommended type is securely installed
• The smoke alarm sensing chamber may be dirty. Dust and insects can collect in the sensing chamber of the alarm. An accumulation of dust in the sensing chamber can cause the unit to chirp. It is good practice to clean the smoke alarm when you change the battery using a vacuum cleaner.
• The alarm may have a low battery. Change the battery.
• The alarm may have reached its end of life and should be replaced.