Do you need to change the battery in your smoke alarm (fitted with a pin and twist lock)? Back to top
Our gas and electric teams will regularly check your smoke alarm, but you are responsible for replacing batteries. Find out how to do this below.
- If your smoke alarm is wired into the electricity mains (but has a battery backup as well), turn the mains off for that area before opening the alarm.
- If your alarm has two lock tabs located at the top, unlock and remove these either by using your finger or a small screwdriver.
- Keep the lock tabs in a safe place once they have been removed, you will need to refit them once you have replaced the battery.
- Once the smoke alarm is free of locks, twist the alarm case until it comes away from the ceiling.
- You will see a sealed compartment that is closed with a small screw. The batteries are located inside this compartment.
- Using a screwdriver, undo the screw and keep it safe to one side. You will now see the batteries inside this compartment.
- You may also see a small ribbon underneath the batteries. This can be pulled upwards, to remove the batteries from the compartment.
- The smoke alarm will have a diagram on the bottom side, which will state which size batteries are required, and which direction to fit them.
- Using new batteries and following the diagram, fit the batteries in the compartment. Ensure that if you have a ribbon in the compartment that this has been placed underneath the new batteries.
- Wrap the top of the ribbon around the new batteries so it is fully tucked inside the battery compartment.
- Now fit the battery compartment cover back into position.
- Before fixing the cover with the screw, test that the new batteries are working by testing the alarm. To do this, press the button labelled ‘test’ on the other size of the alarm.
- If the alarm beeps when the button is pressed, the new batteries are working.
- You are now ready to fix the battery cover screw back into position using your screwdriver.
- To reattach the smoke alarm to the ceiling plate, slot it into position and turn the alarm anticlockwise until it locks.
- Now fix the two plastic lock blots back into position.
Do you need to change the battery on a squeeze removal smoke alarm? Back to top
Our gas and electric teams will regularly check your smoke alarm, but you are responsible for replacing batteries. Find out how to do this below.
- If your smoke alarm is wired into the electricity mains (but has a battery backup as well), turn the mains off for that area before opening the alarm.
- Your smoke alarm may have an arrow pointing away from the ceiling located on the top. To remove the alarm from the ceiling, squeeze the alarm on the left and right side, so the arrow appears in the middle of your hand and pull downwards.
- This will lower the cover and it will hang downwards on its hinge.
- You will now be able to see the battery and will be able to move it out of the case.
- Unplug the battery to release it from the cover.
- Replace with a new battery and plug this back into the alarm.
- Slot the battery back into place between the two clips, this will prevent the battery from falling out.
- You can now close the cover by simply pushing it upwards. You will hear it lock back into a fixed position.
- Test that the new battery is working by pressing the test button, which is in the middle of the alarm.
Do you need to replace the batteries in a twist removal smoke alarm? Back to top
Our gas and electric teams will regularly check your smoke alarm, but you are responsible for replacing batteries. Find out how to do this below.
- If your smoke alarm is wired into the electricity mains (but has a battery backup as well), turn the mains off for that area before opening the alarm.
- Turn the smoke alarm cover anticlockwise until it unlocks from the ceiling.
- The battery compartment is locked with a white pin securing the battery compartment door.
- If you lose the locking pin, you may find there are spare pins located within the ceiling attachment. They can be removed from the ceiling plate using a flat head screwdriver.
- Unlock the current pin by pulling it downwards.
- The battery compartment door will have a slot where you can insert your finger to pull the door open.
- Remove the battery from the storage compartment and replace it with a new battery, following the diagram on the alarm which will show which direction the battery should be fitted.
- Close the battery compartment door.
- Secure the battery compartment door by pushing the locking pin back into position.
- To reattach the alarm to the ceiling, twist the alarm in a clockwise direction until it fully locks back into place.
- Check the batteries have been fitted correctly by pressing the test button on the alarm.
Do you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning? Back to top
- It is important to get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and leave the house.
- See your doctor or go to hospital and let them know you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If you think you are in immediate danger, call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999
- Contact us and we will arrange for a gas engineer to inspect your home immediately.