Smoke alarm keeps 'alarming'...

[wagnerda]

Our smoke alarm near the stove also has a habit of going off whenever cooking, even with the stove vent fan on.

However, our smoke alarm has a "dumb-down" button on it so when it starts to go off you hit the button and supposedly for the next 15 minutes it is not as sensitive. Doesn't always seem to work 100% but it does seem to help.

Of course if you are frying a pork chop nothing will stop it except pulling the 9V battery.

One of these days I think I will move it back to the rear of trailer over the bed and see if that takes care of it. I haven't done that yet because I was also worried about the holes in the SE skin, but I like the rivet idea so that will take care of it.

regards, Dave

[Macfrodge]

When cooking or using the toaster, I cover my smoke alarms with a shower cap temporarily. Seems to work.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by Rebee

Smoke alarms are sensitive to ozone in the air, and in a small space noticable ozone may be produced by an electric motor. An example of a ozone producer is an electric drill. The sparks coming from the brushes cause ozone, not a lot but can be detected with smell. Im thinking maybe some loose wires around the Converter unit.

A CO sensor should be mounted near the floor because Carbon Monixide is heavier than air. If it is on he cieling and goes off noone will hear it. Too Late.

Just some thoughts and things to look for in the AS.

dale

I agree with Dale, especially about the CO detector being near the floor, and for heaven sake don't throw out the detectors - if they are too sensitive clean or replace them. If your smoke alarm regularly goes off when you cook, take a cheap hotel shower cap and put over it for the duration of the meal - then remove it.

You only have to escape from one fire to become a fanatic. You only have to see one person struggle for months to clear carbon monoxide from their red blood cells to realize that any inconvenience is negligible compared to third degree burns. You'll never regret being too safe. You may pay far more than you bargain for by thinking that it can't happen to you.

Paula

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

I agree with Dale, especially about the CO detector being near the floor, and for heaven sake don't throw out the detectors - if they are too sensitive clean or replace them. If your smoke alarm regularly goes off when you cook, take a cheap hotel shower cap and put over it for the duration of the meal - then remove it.

You only have to escape from one fire to become a fanatic. You only have to see one person struggle for months to clear carbon monoxide from their red blood cells to realize that any inconvenience is negligible compared to third degree burns. You'll never regret being too safe. You may pay far more than you bargain for by thinking that it can't happen to you.

Paula

Agreed.

We had a gentleman last week who due to a fire, will never again have the opportunity to hear a malfunctioning or overly sensitive smoke detector.

If you don't have one, buy one.
If you already have one, maintain it. Please don't disconnect the battery.
It really is a pleasure to be able to hear a smoke detector and have the opportunity to gripe about it. Sure beats the alternative.
Dave

[5cats]

Originally Posted by 5cats

I'll just replace it and have peace of mind.

I found a nice smoke+CO detector at the local home improvement store and mounted it in place of the factory CO detector.

The remaining holes from the factory-installed smoke detector filled in nicely with rivets and essentially vanished. Nice.

I had been puzzled about the location of the original CO monitor, mounted waaay up on a cabinet nearly touching the ceiling. I kept that one in service, but now positioned down low.

A little dot of blue masking tape takes care of the over-achieving, "I'm on! I'm ON!" status light that flashes all around us with the shiny walls at night.

Us + pups all around, sound asleep: bliss.
Working smoke/CO detectors: priceless.

Cheers,
-jd.

[SilverCabin]

Here's that sensitive smoke alarm I have that I mentioned back in post #6 on this thread, and here's what I found works very well to keep it quiet while cooking. I found these at a paint distributor that works with building contractors. The little shower cap is made to protect a smoke detector when they are spraying ceiling texture and paint. I only put this on if it starts to act up and never leave the stove unattended.

Randy

[janetb]

What a great tip. Many thanks. We took ours apart, but would feel much more comfortable knowing it's in place and doing its job when we're not using the cook-top.

[thecatsandi]

So just where does one buy a shower cap? My smoke detector went off this morning cooking breakfast. I am never sure why. ;-)

[Macfrodge]

All large department stores would likely carry shower caps - Target, Wal-Mart, etc... I have a garishly colored one so I won't forget to take it off when I'm done cooking.