How to Stop a Residential Fire Alarm From Ringing

Go to the fuse box -- a key may be needed if the fuse box is in a locked room or wall panel. Pull the fuse or trip the circuit breaker that supplies power to the fire alarm system.

Go to the alarm system control box that should now be operating on battery power. Enter the password into the control panel that will disarm the fire alarm system, or use the key that disarms the system.

Open the alarm system's case by removing the screws in its side. Unscrew the terminal contacts on the battery inside the case. Remove the wires from around the contacts.

Let 10 minutes pass before reattaching the wires to the battery. Close the case and reattach the screws. Rearm the control panel.

Return the fuse or reset the circuit breaker to restore power to the fire alarm system. The system should now reset both itself and the fire alarm bell.