Intermittent clicking from Smoke Detector

[SimonaB]

I just moved into a new (rented) property and the landlord is being supremely unhelpful. I'm hoping someone here may be able to help out!

Anyway, so I have 2 rooms where these units are attached to the ceiling. At random intervals they seem to make quite loud clicking noises (not necessarily at the same time). Sometimes it goes on for hours, every 2 or 3 seconds. Sometimes it stops for several hours.

It's driving me nuts and I'm not sure what to do about it. I'm guessing they're wired units (as opposed to running from batteries) but I haven't checked that yet.

Any idea what causes this? Or what can I do to fix this?

 

[alumni]

At the very least, they need cleaning. Ask him when they were last serviced - correctly.

 

[oasistechnical]

very very old A2Z ionisation (12volt) smoke detectors, linked to a control panel, (intruder alarm panel, not a fire panel).

we used to use these years ago, were pretty good, cleaning them will NOT help as they are ionisation (americurum 241 0000.1% a radioactive substrate) and they are not dangerous to health, unless you eat them!!!!

get your landlord to remove them and fit proper mains powered (with battery back up) smoke detectors.

Oasis

 

[SimonaB]

Thank you very much for your advice Oasis!

 

[SimonaB]

Just an "out of curiosity" question - any idea what causes the intermittent clicking? And do you know if they currently function as smoke alarms? I guess the latter would not be able to be answered with certainty...

 

[oasistechnical]

the clicking noises are the relay in the head, it does not come with a sounder.


Oasis

 

[Alarm]

Dirty and past sell by date.
Probably will not operate when needed either.

All smokes and heats need changing after 10 years regardless. CO detectors after 5.

Depending on the fire panel the detectors can be replaced.
I would expect a full inspection on the system to be sure that either they can be changed or a price for a working system.

 

[SimonaB]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas.
The landlord sent the "electrician" round - but he had no idea how to fix this (and looked at it in great puzzlement).
So I simply asked him to switch the off and I've since installed the normal smoke detectors myself!

 

[Alarm]

And in doing so the rest of the property may now be unprotected.
Is it a bedsit/flats or just a separate house?

 

[peaps]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas.
The landlord sent the "electrician" round - but he had no idea how to fix this (and looked at it in great puzzlement).
So I simply asked him to switch the off and I've since installed the normal smoke detectors myself!

It's a legal requirement for your landlord to fit wired smoke and heat detectors and maintain them....

 

[josh451]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas.
The landlord sent the "electrician" round - but he had no idea how to fix this (and looked at it in great puzzlement).
So I simply asked him to switch the off and I've since installed the normal smoke detectors myself!

It's a legal requirement for your landlord to fit wired smoke and heat detectors and maintain them....

That's not entirely true. It depends on the type of property (HMO), how long it has been built and if it has been rewired.

You generally install smokes, as a "Duty Of Care" for your tennants anyway. They don't have to be wired

 

[Alarm]

You generally install smokes, as a "Duty Of Care" for your tennants anyway. They don't have to be wired

LOL jast lot of HMO wireless I came across they were wired wrong ( Although no wired interconnect the smokes were wired to lights and the break glasses battery) and a fire hazard in themselves.
2 of the 4 break glasses were not operating.


If it is rented it HAS to have fire detection AFAIK

 

[josh451]

You generally install smokes, as a "Duty Of Care" for your tennants anyway. They don't have to be wired

LOL jast lot of HMO wireless I came across they were wired wrong ( Although no wired interconnect the smokes were wired to lights and the break glasses battery) and a fire hazard in themselves.
2 of the 4 break glasses were not operating.


If it is rented it HAS to have fire detection AFAIK

Haha, i didn't mean they had to be wireless, Wouldn't touch them with a barge pole

All i was meaning was that for a small 1 bedroom flat with no communal hallways or landings a battery powered one would be suffice.

Alarm: Bet that was an interesting find!

 

[Alarm]

It was more interesting for the owners!

 

[SimonaB]

And in doing so the rest of the property may now be unprotected.
Is it a bedsit/flats or just a separate house?

It's a 2 bed flat across 2 floors. There are only 2 wired units in the property. One in the lounge (which the kitchen is adjacent to) and one in the one bedroom. I've simply replaced them with non wired units.
I don't know what the fire rules or laws are. But for what it's worth I also have a fire blanket & fire extinguisher (which I'm guessing are also going to be poo-pooed as not good enough). Hey ho.
If worst comes to worst I have a fire station across the road from me (literally).