Smoke Alarm Problem

dastephens

Hi Folks,

I was wondering if anyone could advise on a Smoke alarm problem I have been experincing.

About 2 weeks ago the upstairs smoke alarm was activated at approx 5am. I immediately jumped out of bed fearing the worst and as soon as I got to the bedroom door the alarm stopped. I checked the whole house, but nothing. I put this down to the battery going (Usually it bleeps if the battery goes). I even thought perhaps I had dreamt it, but I knew I hadn't when my 9 year asked why the smoke alarm was sounding.

Anyway to be on the safe side the next day I purchased a new smoke alarm and new battery.

I thought all was now well, until 5.30am this morning, the same thing happens again! This time the alarm sounded for 15 seconds, stops for one minute then sounds again. Again I checked for any possible smoke all over the house and again none!? I had to remove the battery to enable the kids to sleep. I couldn't return to sleep then, knowing if there was a fire we wouldn't have an active smoke alarm.

I leave the landing light on at night (for 9 year old) and the smoke alarm is about 2 feet away from this, so could it be this due to being on all night? I will try leaving the landing light off to see if that makes a difference.

Any suggestions to what it could be would be very much appreciated. (a friend has joked it could be the ghost of my dad, who smoked!)

Thanks,


Debbie

Nile

Hello dastephens

I don't have an answer for you but suggest that you contact the Fire Brigade for advice. They might even come to your home to check the smoke alarms.;)

Regards

Nile

FirstClassMale

I think in your case the free fire service advise suggested by Nile is worth acting on.

Do you have a tumble dryer? Was it foggy through the night? Most smoke alarms are set up to react to particles, not specifically smoke. Any kind of steam may have an effect on it. I have even known clouds of dust (not normal dust, I was sanding floorboards) to set them off.

baldelectrician

could be the heat from the lamp burning dust, i would suggest buying a different make smoke alarm and moving it at least 500mm from light

FirstClassMale

You could buy one of those mains ones that actually fits onto a light pendant thereby eliminating any problems with the light itself. I think one of the brands that do them is FireAngel and costs around £25

dastephens

Thanks everyone for your replies. I very much appreciate it.

My brother had been fitting some new doors upstairs yesterday and it was very dusty due to the sanding down, so thanks to FirstClassMale for his advice which would explain the dust particles in the air.
Thanks also to baldelectrician as I to believe it could be the heat from the lamp burning dust.

I will leave the landing light off and hopefully the problem will be solved.

Thanks everyone,

Debbie