Q&A for How to Disable a Fire Alarm

You can do that, but it may be unwise, if not also illegal. As a general rule, contractors install only the smoke alarms or detectors required by code, so removal of any of them would likely be a violation of that code. A violation of fire code may cause legal problems.

Press the test button and problem solved. There was probably some power left in the device.

A periodic chirp in a smoke alarm typically means that there is a battery backup that has a low voltage (needing replacement) or an alarm that has reached the end of its useful life (assuming it is new enough to include such a feature). If you look up the details in the instruction manual for your particular unit, you may be able to determine which type of problem the chirp (and a perhaps a colored LED) is signalling.

The electrical danger is to anyone who might touch the live connectors. If they're on the ceiling or high on an inaccessible wall, there may be only minimal danger. The connectors are typically designed to prevent accidental touching of live parts, but such things are also subject to damage or quality issues, resulting in looseness or exposed contacts.

You can do that, but you could simply maintain two or more overlapping systems of smoke and CO alarms, as you install new ones and keep the old ones for some period.

When a fire alarm goes on, it usually signals that something has triggered it. We don't know what type of alarm you're talking about, so it may be activated manually or by smoke or heat ,or when the sprinklers have been released. It could even be a "test", but you should never assume it's a test. You should escape as if it were an actual alarm.

It probably is a felony if doing so results in serious injury or damage, just like anywhere else. Intentional violation of fire code or life-safety code may be used as evidence of negligence.

Tampering with a fire alarm may be a criminal offense by itself, or tied to negligent or reckless conduct that endangers others. Charges only arise if the incident is reported, investigated, and evidence supports the charges. Start by reporting the lack of fire alarm protection, which is probably a violation of one or more administrative codes, so it can be immediately reactivated.

Many hardwired units require battery backup. Those with replaceable batteries generally do not need to be disconnected merely to replace the batteries.

The Kidde model i9010 has a sealed 10-year battery. If you properly broke the "disable" tab on the unit control and turned the switch fully to the proper position, it would have turned off the unit and drained the battery for disposal. The user manual is available at the Kidde web page for that model.

Yes, it's always possible to "bypass" detectors, but doing so will likely trigger a "trouble" signal on that alarm branch, creating a call for a service technician, if not also an audible warning at the control center.

Probably not. The chirping unit is probably signalling a low internal backup battery or defect (end of useful life) in that unit and may require a new battery (if replaceable) or a new unit (if defective or worn out).

No, if it has already been unplugged and had the backup batteries removed, it should not need any other "precautions". The "power socket" itself should have already been designed to prohibit accidental touching of any live electrical terminals. To be "extra cautious", you might wrap the empty connector with plastic electrical tape.

If your smoke alarms are connected to a home security system, you might need to reset the alarm on the main panel to stop the chirping. On most home security systems, that can be done by entering your alarm code and pressing "OFF". You might need to reset it twice to clear the message.