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Author Topic: Smoke Alarm problems  (Read 1522 times)

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Offline MOGorilla

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Smoke Alarm problems
« on: November 12, 2003, 02:03:19 AM »
Hey,
Anyone know anything about smoke alarms?  Over the past three months, my smoke alarms in my house have gone off for no reason.  Three times it has happened in the dead of the night.  Nothing like that kind of wake up to induce a near heart attack.  I replaced the batteries on Labor day and have replaced them again after the 2nd false alarm.  Last night, 12:42, we were "alarmed" again.   They are the type that are hard wired in the house, the batteries are just back up.
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Offline Randy M

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Smoke Alarm problems
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2003, 04:47:50 AM »
MOGorilla,
We have the same dad-blasted ones and problems with.  MOST of the time when ours go off for no reason, it is because they have gotten dirty.  Try vacumming them really, really good.  If that doesn't work, I suggest a big hammer.  Randy
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Offline willis5

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Smoke Alarm problems
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2003, 07:30:22 AM »
make sure it isn't one of teh ones that detects carbon monoxide too. it could be telling you something... if it isn't, smash it.
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Cheers,
Willis5

Offline savageT

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Smoke Alarm problems
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2003, 04:05:45 AM »
I've had smoke alarms go off because of steam/water vapor from showers or humidifiers as well as smoke.  You said these are hard wired units w/battery backup.  Check the connections to make certain they're clean and making good contact.  I've also found that the type of battery is critical on some units.  Alkalines are not always proper and can give false indications.  Use the Heavy-Duty 9 volt type.
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savageT........Have you hugged a '99 lately?

Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most.

Offline rickyp

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Smoke Alarm problems
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2003, 11:59:35 AM »
It is now the coed that smoke det. be hard wired.
You can try and vacuum them out, AII of them in most cases they are all linked together so if one goes off the others will to.

In most of the cases one or more have gone bad and needs replacing. It is normally best to replace them all at the same time. They do go bad  

you need to get the same type as what was taken out.
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Offline plateshooter

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Smoke Alarm problems
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2003, 02:41:51 PM »
I test hundreds of smoke detectors every month.  We clean them out by using canned air.  If you have a can to dust your computer, try that on the detectors.  If that doesn't work, you may have to replace them.  Their sensitivity does change over a long period of time.
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one shot, one plate

Offline MOGorilla

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Smoke Alarm problems
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2003, 01:48:48 AM »
Thanks for the tips.  I used a can of air on all of them on Sunday and no beaps since.   Thanks for the help
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