smoke alarm help - false alarms

[4570Man]

Mine in the attic gave off multiple false alarms. I'm not sure if it was the cold or dust. Probably dust. Non of the other ones have ever given problems. The one closest to the wood stove and kitchen stove gets set off a couple times a year but that's not really a false alarm.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Mine in the attic gave off multiple false alarms. I'm not sure if it was the cold or dust. Probably dust. Non of the other ones have ever given problems. The one closest to the wood stove and kitchen stove gets set off a couple times a year but that's not really a false alarm.

Attic detectors are or should generally be rate of rise detectors. Basically when it gets hot quickly it'll go off. Traditionally attics are dusty, breezy and prone to false alarms. The ROR detectors work well in those conditions. A bunch of restaurant kitchens have them due to their ability to work in that enviroment

Brett

 

[jmc]

Vacuuming the detectors seemed to help with mine.

 

[bigtiller]

It isn't the air current that's the problem, it's what is being carried on the air current. Dust. Most of the lower grade detectors can't tell the difference between a particle of dust and a particle of smoke. When you switched direction on your ceiling fan, did you notice any dust on the fan blades? You could try thoroughly cleaning the fan blades and fan itself and give that a go. Or, you could just return the fan to it's original directional setting (or both).

Photo electric sensors are better than the older ion detectors. But the more basic single optic detector units are still quite prone to false readings. I'm not even sure if dual optical sensor detectors are available for stand alone residential use, but I am a commercial fire alarm tech, and that is the type of detector we install in commercial buildings. The dual detector, twin mirror units are much more reliable. You can still get false alarms, and a dirty commercial setting would still be a problem, but the improvement is significant. Also in a commercial system, you can program different sensitivity settings into individual detectors that may be in different environments.

Also, there is a new standard coming out for smoke detectors, which is even tighter on allowable false readings parameters. We have several commercial detector models that will become obsolete when the new UL standard "hits the streets".

Do you know when the new standards will come out or how we could tell the difference?

 

[QRTRHRS]

We bought a house back in May that had two of the four wired detectors missing. That and the seller had burned wood for heat LOL or is it crying out loud?

Anyway, I bought four Kidde FireX smoke and carbon monoxide units (KN-COPE-IC) and am happy with the way they "talk" to each other. The instructions even state to remove the units if you are going to make dust.

These units also tell you when they should be replaced. I never knew detectors had a ten year life?

 

[JosePerry]

Have you read the rules and guidelines before installing the device?
It is very important to install the smoke detectors in a proper way which will be good to maximize the function of the device. You should also consult an electrician to ensure this system is working the way they should to protect you. Like, last month I was also dealing with same issue I got many false alarms in the middle of the night. Then, I had searched in the local directory and called up electricians in Bala Cynwyd PA, where the team had came to my home and listened to all my concerns and then they had found that the installation place of the smoke detector was not done properly.
I think you should also consult an electrician for these tasks who will definitely ensure the exact issue.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Do you know when the new standards will come out or how we could tell the difference?

Bigtiller,

I'm sorry, I'm traveling a lot for work, didn't see your post. I believe the new standard comes out next December (2018). I know they pushed up it's official date from 2020, but pretty sure it's next Dec. I'll double check today by making a few phone calls. I know detectors made after the date must comply with the new detection standards, and they are tighter for both detection and false alarm rejection parameters. Which is why the new series detectors are more $ (lol). Ours have an entirely different detector sensor design to meet the standard.

4570man,

Environment plays a big role in false alarms. For an attic detector, I would strongly recommend a thermal only detector, with no smoke sensor component. A standard rate of rise heat detector should work fine in a residential attic location.

And yes, national fire code (NFPA) says you must replace your detectors every 10 years. Whether they need it or not, given you any problems or not, replace them. But for residential applications, most folks are lucky they remember to replace the battery every year (lol). It's even difficult to get commercial customers to understand they have to replace their detectors every 10 years. "But, they're working". Is usually what I hear. Of course, some of our systems literally have 100's of them (hospitals, hotels, schools, etc). So, it's an expense to be sure, but life safety equipment is different than just ordering a new flat screen TV for over the bar at the hotel. It's hard to get some managers to see the difference.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Do you know when the new standards will come out or how we could tell the difference?

The folks I needed to ask the official standard release date question to where all off today (Veteran's Day).

Will try again Monday.

Still going with my guess that it's Dec. 2018, but will get a confirmation.

 

[Rustyiron]

When will they come out with a S/D that tell's you when your food is "medium" rather than well done?:laughing: