How they work: Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm.
When smoke particles enter, they disturb this flow, causing the alarm to go off. Photoelectric smoke detectors contain a beam of light and a photocell within the chamber. When smoke enters, it deflects the beam, causing it to strike the photocell and set off the alarm.
Dust and dirt that comes from activities like remodeling may set off your smoke alarms. To clean your smoke alarm, open it up carefully, and look inside for dust or dirt. Use a vacuum attachment or electronic aerosol cleaner to remove dust particles.
A smoke alarm is a sensitive device that helps to detect smoke particles from different sources of fire. Debris such as dust or soot often produced by burning matter can accumulate on the gadget thereby triggering the alarm even when there is no actual fire.
The most likely reason that cause fire alarm randomly going off is that people forget to change the batteries in fire alarm devices regularly. The second most common reason is food preparation. Also, sensors set close to the fireplaces can be sensitive to smoke.
Sometimes, smoke detectors will keep going off for no reason when they have reached the end of their life span. Fire alarms have a lifespan of about 10 years, after which they will need to be replaced. Smart smoke detectors can help eliminate some of the annoyances related to false alarms.
The most common reason for a false alarm is a dead smoke detector battery. Without holding it, press the button on the front of the panel to test the battery. If the alarm sounds loudly and clearly, it's good to go. If there is no sound, or the alarm is quiet, slurred, or bending in pitch, replace the battery.
For hardwired smoke detectors, random beeping may result from electrical interference, loose connections, or power fluctuations. Wireless devices, such as Wi-Fi routers or baby monitors, can also disrupt the detector's signal, causing unexpected beeping.
Pressing the white small button will turn off alarm. This will deactivate the alarm, stop the low battery “chirp” and render the alarm safe for disposal by draining the battery.
Pros of Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Fewer False Alarms: These detectors are less likely to be triggered by cooking fumes or steam. That reduces your likelihood of false alarms and the "alarm blindness" that can result from it.
False alarms are typically caused by bugs, humidity or dust. Or sometimes just a faulty unit! This is pretty common, unfortunately.
Difficulty Detecting Quick-Burning Fires
One of the primary limitations of photoelectric smoke detectors is their reduced sensitivity to quick-burning fires. These types of fires, often ignited by fast-acting sources such as sparklers or electrical sparks, produce less smoke but more intense flames.
Continuous beeping means the device (or another it is connected to) has detected smoke in your home. A single beep about every 30 seconds to a minute can mean the battery is low, the sensors are dirty, or the unit needs to be replaced.
Like coupons and canned goods, smoke alarms have an expiration date. "They have a life of 10 years," Roux says. "But, if it has a built-in CO detector, you'll need to replace it sooner." According to Consumer Reports, most CO detectors come with a five- to seven-year warranty.
Excessive dust buildup can trigger false alarms, causing the system to go off randomly. Clean the interior of the detector thoroughly to resolve this issue. Before taking this step, be sure to turn off the detector at the circuit box to stay safe during the cleaning process.
We typically attribute smoke detector false alarms at night to one of two factors: low battery power and a drop in the home's air temperature, or an environmental factor such as high humidity, steam, or smoke particles in the air.
Water vapours can develop inside the smoke sensor causing smoke alarms to react the same way as it does smoke. Once humidity reaches 85%, false alarms could frequently occur. Insects and dust are a common cause of false alarms. Steam from bathrooms and laundry can cause a smoke alarm to activate.
Typically, this is indicated with a led light indicator on the initiating smoke alarm. You may also be able to hit the silence button on any smoke alarm, which will cause all the non-initiating smoke alarms to silence so you can hear just the initiating one.
Dust and other particles can easily build up in the ionization chamber, causing false alarms. Insects and pests can also find their way into the chamber, disrupting the flow of ions and triggering the alarm. Moisture is another common cause of false alarms.
Your alarm manufacturer may have included a blinking red light to let you know it's time to test the alarm again. The Batteries are Low: Usually accompanied by a loud beep, a blinking red light could mean the batteries in the unit are low. Consider adding fresh batteries and running a test to make sure it's working.
Some common reasons for false alarms include smoke or dust accumulation, high humidity levels, malfunctioning or expired batteries, electrical interference, burning food, or even smoke alarm malfunction.
My smoke alarm is going off, but I don't see anything should I bother calling 911? Yes - but only after exiting the home! Smoke alarms are sensitive to products of combustion in sizes and amounts often not seen by the human eye.
If your smoke detectors are yellowing, chirping non-stop, or going off unexpectedly, it's time to call in our electrical pros from Integrity Home Solutions. We can inspect and replace hardwired smoke detectors or install them if you don't have them in place already. Don't take a chance on your family's safety.