Why does my smoke alarm go off even when there is no smoke?

 

Nothing is more annoying or stress inducing than when a smoke alarm goes off unexpectedly. But why does this happen when there is no smoke? There could be several reasons. The good news is that you don’t have to go on living this way. Wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms will provide reliable protection for you and your family when installed correctly.

 

Photoelectric smoke alarms are activated when the light beam inside the smoke alarm is disrupted by particles entering the smoke alarm chamber. These foreign particles may come from sources other than real smoke.

 

High humidity

High humidity may occur naturally as the air carries dense moisture particles that your smoke alarm confuses for smoke particles. Although brands differ, smoke alarms are generally designed to work up to 95% relative humidity – anything over this range and the air could become dense enough to scatter the light beam of a photelectric sensor. Tropical weather conditions in far north Queensland can sometimes produce such high humidity.

The same principal applies to steam. If your smoke alarm is positioned outside a bathroom entrance, consider moving it to a different spot so that shower steam doesn’t trigger nuisance alarms.

 

Insects

Section 4.17 of Australian Standard 3786:2014 requires that all smoke alarms have protection against foreign bodies so that a sphere of diameter larger than 1.3mm cannot pass into the sensor chamber – this protection usually comes in the form of an internal mesh screen. Despite this requirement it is still possible that tiny insects (smaller than 1.3mm) could enter the smoke alarm and by doing so interfere with the photoelectric sensor. One tip to reduce this likelihood is to spray the ceiling around your smoke alarm with bug spray (being sure not to allow the bug spray itself to enter the alarm).

 

Dust

A build-up of dust may also affect your smoke alarm if the dust particles enter the internal chamber and interfere with the photoelectric light beam. That is why we recommend cleaning your smoke alarms regularly by gently vacuuming around it with the soft brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner. Cleaning your smoke alarm this way may remove any cobwebs which could also prevent pests from entering the alarm.

 

Cooking!

It doesn’t matter what brand of smoke alarm you have, if you install it too close to the kitchen stovetop or oven it will activate when smoke particles are emitted from food cooking. Be sure to use the oven exhaust when cooking to draw smoky air particles away from the vicinity of your smoke alarm or consider repositioning the alarm further away from the cooking appliance.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Queensland’s Sizzling New Safety Trend: Interconnected Photoelectric Smoke Alarms in 2023!

Image
  Greetings, fellow Queenslanders! As we navigate through the year 2023, there's one hot topic that's igniting conversations across the state - interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms ! Yes, you heard it right! The latest home safety trend is sweeping through the QLD Sunshine State, bringing not just peace of mind, but also some amazing new features! What's All the Fuss About? Picture this: you're in your cozy Queenslander home, kicking back watching footy on the TV in the lounge room, when suddenly your smoke detector system comes to life. No, it's not your favourite tune playing - it's your smoke alarm alerting you to potential danger downstairs. These interconnected smoke alarms are like a well-drilled QLD State of Origin squad - when one detects smoke, they all join in, and with a mighty team effort they create a chorus of sirens that are hard to ignore. How do interconnected smoke alarms communicate with one another? Now, you might wonder how these devic
Read more

Ultimate Home Safety: Discover Why Interconnected Smoke Alarms Are Queensland's Lifesaving Secret Weapon!

Image
The pursuit of creating a safer Queensland community extends beyond safety at our beaches or safety on our roads, Queenslanders have embraced the implementation of interconnected smoke alarms as a crucial safety measure in their homes as well. This progressive initiative goes beyond the traditional standalone alarms, offering several benefits that contribute to a more robust and effective home fire safety system. One of the primary advantages of interconnected smoke alarms is their ability to communicate with each other. When one alarm detects smoke, it sets off a chain reaction, activating all interconnected fire alarms throughout the property. This rapid dissemination of alerts ensures that occupants are promptly notified, regardless of their location within the premises. In a state as vast and diverse as Queensland, where homes come in various sizes and layouts (from traditional Queenslanders to modern high rise apartments), this interconnectedness is pivotal in providing comprehen
Read more

Protect Your Home with a Photoelectric Smoke Alarm Manufactured in an ISO 9001 Accredited Facility - See How High-Quality Manufacturing Saves Lives!

Image
  A photoelectric smoke alarm is an essential safety feature in any home or building. The smoke alarm provides an early warning of a fire, allowing occupants to evacuate before the fire spreads. To ensure the ongoing reliability of photoelectric smoke alarms, manufacturers must adhere to strict quality management standards, such as ISO 9001. ISO 9001 is a globally recognised quality management system developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). The standard outlines the requirements for an organization to meet customer needs and expectations, comply with regulatory requirements, and continuously improve its processes. Implementing ISO 9001 in photoelectric smoke alarm manufacturing ensures that every aspect of the factory's manufacturing process meets the required standards for both quality and reliability.  Do you know if your   photoelectric smoke alarm   has come from an ISO 9001 accredited facility? The commercial production of a photoelectric smoke al
Read more