Smoke Alarm help needed..

[thatguy]

We live in a 2 story house and the second story is unfinished (unheated/uncooled) and just used as attic storage space.

Last night our smoke alarms (USI Electric #1204) went off (they are hardwired together).. After checking everywhere there was NO smoke/fire and NONE of them were showing a red light to indicate which one 'detected' smoke.

I cut the break off and after about 3 minutes or so they went silent.

Later I turned the breaker back on and non of the alarms went off again.

I am trying to figure out what cause them to go off. Our electrician thought that maybe the batteries were dead/dying.. He also said that the attic/upstairs alarm could be the problem because of the climate it is in..

My actions this morning are to:

1) replace all batteries (although none have been chirping)
2) Vacuum each detector to make sure it has no dust that could cause a false reading

My Questions

1) How can I tell if the upstairs sensor is going/went bad?
2) What would cause one to go off and NOT show a red light to indicate it is the one that started? the owners manual says they should..
3) The owners manual also says to avoid putting a detector in an area such as our attic. Can I / should I remove the detector head (leaving the hardwired base)? Will that affect the rest of the detectors from going off at the same time? The building inspector did NOT require a detector up there but the electrician thought it would be idea.

thanks for any help

Brian

 

[alchemysa]

Unfortunately in our new house the hard wired alarm has been mounted too close to the bathroom door. We've discovered that even just a little bit of steam from the shower can trigger the alarm, so we have to keep the bathroom door closed for a while even after weve finished showering. Is there a chance your alarm is detecting steam from somewhere? Also, can't you turn the alarm off by touching the test button with something like a broom pole?

Edit. High humidity might cause the same alarm as steam.

 

[thatguy]

alchemysa - Thanks for the tip.. It may have been the humidity in the attic but since none of the detectors had the red indicator light lit we arent sure which one was the culprit..

At the time they went off were just watching tv - no showers, no cooking, no fans on, no A/C running.. This is the first time this has happened as well

As far as turning the alarms off they are suppose to have a 'cancel/silent' button - i hit the 'test' button, BUT I didnt hold it for 3 seconds (as indicated in the manual - after I found it) that is why i used the breaker instead.

thanks

Brian

 

[alchemysa]

This site specifically mentions 'unfinished attics' as a potential problem area. You can get the described 'Heat Alarm' as an alternative to a Smoke Alarm...

USI-2430 Heat Alarm - Heat Detectors and Alarms by USI Electric

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Brian,

How old are the detectors? Most are only good for ten years.

Sometimes a spider and or bug can get in and cause problems.

Smoke alarms should not be used in an unheated attic as they are not designed for temperatures less then 40F and no more then 100F.

The best type of smoke detector is a detector that uses both photoelectric and ionization detection.

Here is link to what I have in my home:

http://www.kidde.com/utcfs/ws-384/Assets/PI2000 Sheet.pdf

 

[weedpharma]

A warning when replacing smoke detectors....

My daughter's upstairs detector failed so I purchased another and fitted it. As there are two detectors ( up and down stairs) they are linked to set each other off in the event of a fire. When I turned the power back on, the alarms activated and would not turn off. I then smelled the new alarm and it was emitting its own smoke.

On calling the manufacturer for an explaination, I was told that you should not mix brands as the switched output were not the same. I asked where this information was in the instructions and he could not tell me. He told me to return the detector and it would be replaced. I am still waiting but it has only been a week.

Weedpharma

 

[ragkar]

Brian,


The best type of smoke detector is a detector that uses both photoelectric and ionization detection.


http://www.kidde.com/utcfs/ws-384/Assets/PI2000 Sheet.pdf

That's right - the photoelectric sensor detects the large smoke particles that you get for a smoldering fire like a cigarette in the cushions. The ionization detector works best in the light smoke emitted by a flaming fire.

 

[thatguy]

Thanks everyone.. got the batteries changed out and vacuumed them today.. I ended up taking the attic detector head down and will look at getting one better suited to for our attic..

Brian