If a smoke detector connected to your Qolsys system is sounding, reporting trouble, or causing an unexpected alarm, first determine whether there could be an actual fire.
These instructions apply generally to:
Smoke detectors are life-safety devices. A possible fire should always take priority over troubleshooting the alarm system.
If the detector or Qolsys panel indicates a smoke or fire alarm and there may be an actual fire:
Do not remain inside trying to troubleshoot the alarm system.
A smoke alarm and a smoke detector trouble condition are different.
An alarm indicates that the system has detected a possible fire condition.
A trouble condition may indicate a problem such as:
Check the Qolsys panel for the exact message.
If there is no emergency and it is safe to investigate, check the Qolsys panel for the exact detector name.
Examples may include:
Write down the exact detector name and message.
If the smoke detector activated but there is clearly no fire, consider what was occurring in the area.
Possible environmental conditions can include:
Do not assume every unexplained smoke alarm is a defective detector.
If cooking smoke caused the alarm:
Do not remove the detector or its battery as a routine way to prevent cooking alarms.
If normal cooking repeatedly activates the same detector, contact CommTech Systems.
Steam or heavy moisture near some smoke detectors can contribute to unwanted alarms.
If an alarm repeatedly occurs during activities such as showering or other high-humidity conditions, note which detector is activating and contact CommTech Systems.
Do not relocate the detector yourself.
Construction, sanding, drywall work, or significant airborne dust can affect smoke detectors.
If construction is occurring, contact CommTech Systems before making changes to installed life-safety equipment.
Do not permanently cover, remove, or disable a smoke detector.
If the Qolsys panel specifically reports a low battery for a wireless smoke detector, the detector may require battery replacement.
The correct battery depends on the specific detector model.
Do not assume all smoke detectors use the same battery.
If you are unsure which battery is required, contact CommTech Systems before replacing it.
If the detector is designed for customer battery replacement:
A trouble condition may take some time to clear after the detector communicates with the panel.
A smoke detector may report Tamper if it is:
Make sure the detector is properly installed on its mounting base.
If the tamper remains, contact CommTech Systems.
If the Qolsys panel reports that the smoke detector is malfunctioning or not responding, do not ignore the condition.
The detector may not be providing its intended protection.
Check for:
Contact CommTech Systems if the trouble remains.
First determine whether the sound is coming from:
A periodic chirp may indicate a battery or detector condition, while the Qolsys panel may produce sounds for system trouble messages.
Check the panel for the exact trouble condition.
If the same smoke detector repeatedly activates when there is no fire:
Repeated unwanted fire alarms should be investigated.
Do not remove a smoke detector from its mounting base and leave it removed because it is causing trouble.
This can leave part of the property without intended fire detection.
Do not permanently remove the battery from a smoke detector because it is chirping or causing unwanted alarms.
Correct the underlying problem or contact CommTech Systems.
Do not cover the detector with:
Covering a smoke detector can prevent it from detecting a fire.
Never paint a smoke detector.
Paint can interfere with its ability to detect smoke and can damage the device.
Do not use:
to test a smoke detector.
If a detector needs testing, use the manufacturer's approved test procedure or contact CommTech Systems.
If Alarm.com reports a fire or smoke alarm, treat the event seriously.
Do not assume it is false simply because you are away from the property.
Follow the monitoring and emergency procedures associated with your system.
If a fire alarm signal has already been transmitted to the monitoring center, operating the Qolsys panel does not necessarily mean the transmitted event has been canceled.
Follow any monitoring-center instructions or communications related to the alarm.
If several smoke detectors begin reporting trouble at approximately the same time, contact CommTech Systems.
Provide the names of all affected devices and the exact messages displayed.
A smoke detector is life-safety equipment.
Do not routinely bypass a smoke detector simply to eliminate a trouble condition or allow the system to operate normally.
Contact CommTech Systems so the problem can be corrected.
Do not delete a smoke detector from the Qolsys system because it is causing trouble.
Removing it from the system can eliminate intended fire protection.
Do not factory reset the Qolsys panel because of a smoke detector problem.
The affected detector or condition should be diagnosed directly.
Contact CommTech Systems if:
When requesting assistance, provide:
For your security, do not provide alarm codes, passwords, or other private account credentials through the support chatbot.