Red Smoke Alarms & Emerald Alarms: Maintenance and Troubleshooting Guide

Understanding Smoke Alarms and False Alarming

Photoelectric Technology

Photoelectric smoke alarms operate using photoelectric technology. An infrared (IR) LED light emits a beam across an enclosed chamber. A photoelectric sensor within the chamber detects refracted light when the IR LED beam encounters particles in the air.

Common Causes for False Alarms

• Smoke & Ash: Particles resembling smoke, such as from burning cotton, wood, or certain chemicals, can trigger the alarm.
• Insects: Insects, particularly spiders, can enter the detection chamber and trigger the sensor.
• Dust & Lint: Fine dust and lint particles can also cause false alarms.
• Humidity: High humidity levels can cause false alarms.
• Condensation: Rapid temperature changes can lead to condensation, which may trigger the alarm.
• Power Disruptions: Unstable power, including voltage spikes and transients, can cause alarms to sound.
• Temperature Variance: Extreme temperature fluctuations can lead to false alarms.
• Wrong Location: Installing alarms in areas prone to steam, cooking fumes, or high air movement can cause false alarms.
• Induced Current (4 Core Cable): Incorrect wiring with 4-core cable in 240V hardwired alarms can create induced currents that trigger false alarms.

Routine Maintenance and Care

Monthly Testing

Test the smoke alarm unit monthly by pressing the 'test' button. This verifies the electrical circuit, alarm, and battery are functioning correctly. If no alarm sounds, the unit may have a defective battery or another fault.

Monthly Cleaning

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean all sides and the cover of the smoke alarm monthly. This helps prevent dust and insect buildup.

Battery Replacement

Your smoke alarm will chirp every 48 seconds to indicate a low battery or fault. It will provide a low battery warning for at least 30 days. Failure to replace the battery may result in the alarm not alerting you in case of a fire.

• 9V Battery Alarms (Red R9 & Emerald EP-RANG-1): Open the unit, remove the 9V battery, hold the TEST/HUSH button for 3 seconds to drain residual power, insert a new battery, and reinstall. Test the alarm. Replace 9V batteries every 12 months.
• 240V Hardwire Alarms with 9V Backup (Red R240, R240P, Emerald EP-VC240-1, EP-VC240-10): Open the unit, remove the battery, hold the TEST/HUSH button for 3 seconds, insert a new battery, and close the unit. Test the alarm.
• 10-Year Lithium Battery Alarms (Red R10, R10RF, Emerald EP-RANG-10, EP-RANG-RF-10): These alarms have non-rechargeable, non-replaceable 3V Lithium batteries designed to last 10 years. If the alarm is older than its service life, the complete unit requires replacement.

Troubleshooting False Alarms

Identifying and Hushing Alarms

If your smoke alarm emits a false alarm without a fire emergency:

1. During an active alarm, the red LED on the triggering alarm will continuously flash.
2. Press the HUSH/TEST button for 1-2 seconds to silence all smoke alarms.
3. The triggered alarm will flash differently: Red Smoke Alarm flashes every 6 seconds for 48 hours; Emerald Alarm flashes 3 times every 48 seconds for 72 hours.
4. Note the alarm for closer inspection and maintenance to prevent future false alarms.

Note: The red LED may appear faint in bright light. There might be a slight delay in silencing alarms due to RF interconnection timing.

Smoke Alarm Controller

A Smoke Alarm Controller can be used to test, silence, and locate triggered smoke alarms without needing to reach the ceiling units.

Using the Controller During a Triggered Alarm

1. Press 'LOCATE' on the controller to silence all alarms except the triggering one.
2. Check the triggered alarm to ensure there is no immediate danger.
3. Press and hold 'SILENCE' on the controller for 1-2 seconds. This will silence the alarm for 10 minutes with reduced sensitivity, returning to normal operation afterward. If smoke intensifies, it will re-trigger. Evacuate if a fire is present.

Note: Identify which alarm triggered to perform necessary maintenance or call a technician if required.

Insects, Dust, and Dirt

Insects and dust are common causes of false alarms. Regular cleaning (every 4-6 weeks) is essential.

1. Vacuum the outer edge of the alarm with a soft brush attachment.
2. Wipe the outside of the alarm with a cloth sprayed with insect repellent. DO NOT spray directly onto the alarm.
3. If spiders are nesting inside, the smoke alarm should be replaced.
4. After cleaning, test the alarm to ensure proper function.

For enhanced protection, consider Red Smoke Alarms Professional series or Emerald Hybrid series, which offer improved features against environmental factors.

Smoke Alarm Positioning

Correct Placement Guidelines

Photoelectric smoke alarms are sensitive to humidity, steam, and dust. Avoid installation near bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, open windows, fans, or air ducts.

• Ceiling Mounting: Install as close to the center of the ceiling as possible, at least 30cm from side walls.
• Wall Mounting: Position at least 30cm below and a maximum of 50cm from the ceiling. Consult a professional installer if unsure.

Air Movement

Avoid placing alarms near ceiling fans or air conditioning units, as high air movement can cause false alarms. Indoor smoking (cigarettes and vaping) can also trigger false alarms.

Placement Restrictions

Do not install smoke alarms in areas like laundry rooms, kitchens, or garages, as these spaces are prone to conditions like steam, cooking fumes, or vehicle exhaust that can trigger false alarms.

Recommended Installation Guidelines Visual Description:

Diagrams illustrate recommended installation points:

• Ceiling/Wall Junction: Best placement is away from dead air spaces, near where heat and smoke from a fire would rise. Avoid areas directly under vents or fans.
• Apex of Sloping Ceiling: Similar to flat ceilings, place alarms in areas where smoke would naturally collect, avoiding dead air spaces.
• Single Floor & Multiple Floor Installations: Recommended locations are shown in various rooms (bedroom, lounge, kitchen, bathroom) ensuring they are not too close to corners or potential sources of false alarms like cooking appliances.

Smoke Alarms and Extreme Weather Conditions

Extreme Weather Effects

High humidity and rapid temperature changes can affect photoelectric smoke alarms. Dense humid air can be mistaken for smoke particles, and rapid temperature shifts can cause condensation, leading to false alarms.

• Humidity: False alarms are likely if humidity exceeds 85%.
• Temperature: Alarms operate optimally between 0-45°C. Temperatures outside this range can cause false alarms.

To combat these effects: Ensure your home is well-ventilated and free from draughts. Avoid placing alarms near external windows, doorways, or hallways prone to rapid temperature changes.

Smoke alarms are not designed for external applications like garages, patios, or under houses.

The Red Smoke Alarms Professional series and Emerald Alarms Hybrid alarm offer improved performance in these environmental conditions due to features like temperature-compensating firmware and stainless steel mesh.

False Alarms Due to Power Disruptions

Power Disruptions and Spikes

Hardwired 240V smoke alarms may briefly alarm during power interruptions. Unstable power can cause electrical spikes or control signals that trigger false alarms. Power disruptions can occur due to:

• Electricity company grid switching.
• Electrical spikes or surges.
• Interference from shared circuits with appliances that cycle on/off.

Installing an EMI or ripple signal filter and ensuring smoke alarms are on their own independent circuit can help reduce interference.

Incorrect 240V Hardwiring

DO NOT use 4-core cable for 240V smoke alarm installation. Use 3-core 1mm cable as per NCC guidelines. The interconnect terminal between alarms must use separate single-core 1mm SDI cable. This is crucial because the interconnect terminals and alarms are designed to function between 3V to 9V on backup battery supply. Using 4-core cable can create an induced current (IC) through the fourth core, simulating low voltage and causing false alarms.