To turn off a fire alarm, the method depends on the type of alarm you have:
For Home Smoke Detectors / Fire Alarms
- Temporarily silence the alarm: Most smoke detectors have a “silence” or “hush” button on the device. Pressing this will stop the beeping temporarily, usually for about 8 to 10 minutes, unless smoke or debris is still detected
- Battery-powered alarms: Remove the cover and take out the battery to turn off the alarm completely. This is a quick way to disable it temporarily but should be done cautiously and only if you are sure there is no fire risk
- Hardwired alarms: Locate your home’s circuit breaker panel and turn off the breaker labeled for smoke alarms. If the alarm has a battery backup, you will also need to remove the battery after disconnecting the power to fully disable it. You may need to twist off the alarm cover and disconnect wiring carefully after turning off the breaker
- Smart alarms: If you have smart fire alarms connected to WiFi, you can often silence or turn them off remotely via the associated app on your smartphone
Additional Tips
- If the alarm goes off due to cooking smoke or steam, try opening windows, waving a towel near the detector, or moving the alarm away from the kitchen or bathroom area to reduce false alarms
- Always notify others in your household before disabling an alarm and ensure it is turned back on as soon as possible to maintain safety
- For commercial buildings, fire alarms are usually controlled via a fire alarm control panel where you can identify and reset the triggered alarm zone
Summary
- Press the silence/hush button for temporary silence.
- Remove batteries for battery-powered alarms to turn off.
- Turn off the circuit breaker and remove batteries for hardwired alarms.
- Use the app for smart alarms.
- Always prioritize safety and only disable alarms when you are certain there is no fire hazard
