Systems and methods for updating software in a hazard detection system are described herein. Software updates may be received by, stored within, and executed by a hazard detection system, without disturbing the system's ability to monitor for alarm events and sound an alarm in response to a monitored hazard event. The software updates may be received as part of a periodic over-the-air communication with a remote server or as part of a physical connection with a data source such as a computer. The software updates may include several portions of code designed to operate with different processors and/or devices within the hazard detection system. The software updates may also include language specific audio files that can be accessed by the hazard detection system to play back language specific media files via a speaker.