Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Any smoke alarm specialists around?

12 replies

OMGitsnotgood · 04/09/2023 13:49

An elderly neighbour asked me to look at his smoke alarm as it's beeping. I assumed it would be a matter of just changing the battery but I can't open it. I'm assuming it's a smoke alarm anyway. There is another one next to it but it's not the one beeping. Anyone recognise it and able to advise how to open please. Can't get anyone out til tomorrow

Any smoke alarm specialists around?
OP posts:
GasPanic · 04/09/2023 14:11

Google it on the web. It could well be an electric one (wired into the mains). Even the electric ones have a backup battery which beeps when the supply goes off and the battery runs down (I presume). Maybe it comes off with a twist, but I would check to see whether it is mains first and if so turn it off at the mains before fiddling with it.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 04/09/2023 14:21

Yeah they usually twist off the bases, I did a google image search on your pic and its not really thrown up anything helpful, closest match is on a webpage called Betterbox but its got no datasheet or install info. Is there anything written on the unit at all? Serial number or brand name?

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 04/09/2023 14:27

Thanks both. I have been googling and couldn't find anything similar. Nothing helpful like a brand or model name unfortunately. Had hoped that someone on here would recognise it. Won't twist at all.

OP posts:
LivingDeadGirlUK · 04/09/2023 14:35

Maybe try pulling straight down then?

LivingDeadGirlUK · 04/09/2023 14:37

Also when you say 'bleeping' I assume you mean that single beep every 30 seconds or so they do when the battery is flat rather than it actually going off?

LIZS · 04/09/2023 14:49

Is there anywhere to slide a screwdriver in and lever it open?

KievLoverTwo · 04/09/2023 14:49

Gosh, that is an old alarm.

If you push that button fully in, will it then allow you to twist it open whilst the button is being pressed? Wondering if it's both an alarm testing button and a locking mechanism.

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 04/09/2023 14:53

Beeping like the battery needs replacing. Don't want to stick a screwdriver in if it's possible that it's mains connected. Have tried pulling, squeezing and pulling, twisting. both directions. Have also tried to twist with the button in, have also tried to pull the button out with pliers as it was suggested on some google hits tbat it could be a locking pin. Have also had the vac on it in case it's dust. But still chirping

OP posts:
Diyextension · 04/09/2023 14:54

I think you pull the little plastic thing out ,then it twists off , the bit that looks like a little button ?

Diyextension · 04/09/2023 14:55

Ah. Cross post 😀

KievLoverTwo · 04/09/2023 15:02

OMGitsnotgood · 04/09/2023 14:53

Beeping like the battery needs replacing. Don't want to stick a screwdriver in if it's possible that it's mains connected. Have tried pulling, squeezing and pulling, twisting. both directions. Have also tried to twist with the button in, have also tried to pull the button out with pliers as it was suggested on some google hits tbat it could be a locking pin. Have also had the vac on it in case it's dust. But still chirping

The circle at the bottom. Feel around it to see if there is a tiny ridge that you cannot see that can be prised open with fingernails.

Original poster
OMGitsnotgood · 04/09/2023 18:42

thanks to those who tried to help. Neighbour's son has picked him up and taken him to their house. Someone coming out to look at it tomorrow. We're away now for a few days so can't do any more. Thanks again

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page