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Electric Smoke Alarms

M

Michael P Gabriel

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi! I have two smoke alarms in my residence that are wired into the
house's electricity. The other day I had a house full of smoke from a
minor microwave fire! Neither alarm went off but they definitely
should have, considering the amount of smoke tht passed by and under
them. Yet when I depressed both red light test buttons, the loud
piercing alarms sounded.

Question 1: How can I know if the alarms are safe to use? Should I
replace both? Are they operative and just coincidence that the alarm
never went off. Electric smoke alarms are expensive and I'd rather be
sure that they are bad before I reinvest in a pair.

Question 2: what is the purpose of the red light button. For testing,
I know is one purpose. Would the other be to show that the power is on
or that the alarm is safe and useable?

Thanks!!!!
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Michael P Gabriel said:
Hi! I have two smoke alarms in my residence that are wired into the
house's electricity. The other day I had a house full of smoke from a
minor microwave fire! Neither alarm went off but they definitely
should have, considering the amount of smoke tht passed by and under
them. Yet when I depressed both red light test buttons, the loud
piercing alarms sounded.

Question 1: How can I know if the alarms are safe to use? Should I
replace both? Are they operative and just coincidence that the alarm
never went off. Electric smoke alarms are expensive and I'd rather be
sure that they are bad before I reinvest in a pair.

Question 2: what is the purpose of the red light button. For testing,
I know is one purpose. Would the other be to show that the power is on
or that the alarm is safe and useable?

Thanks!!!!


Your microwave fire may have been putting out the wrong kind of smoke for
your particular detectors. Chances are you're running ionization type which
respond better to faster flaming fires (but have the annoying habit of going
off when the humidity gets to high like when you open the bathroom door
after a hot shower). It's recommended that AC smoke alarms be replaced
every ten years, so if yours are getting anywhere close to that in age, I'd
consider that. I'd also suggest you upgrade to photo-electric smokes and
follow a more rigorous cleaning and testing regimen. Pushing the "test"
button accomplishes nothing more than ensuring the "buzzer" and the button
are OK. Get yourself some FM approved smoke detector tester and use that
instead. Follow the instructions on the can though or you risk
contaminating the sensing chamber.


--
Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com
Free listings for qualified dealers and industry professionals
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N

Nick Markowitz

Jan 1, 1970
0
The wired in smokes you describe are probably inozation type which do not
pick up all types of fire but concidering amount of smoke you may want to
have them replaced as ionazation smokes have been found to deteriote over
time in fact NFPA recomends replacing them after 10 years
personally I always install Photo electric type smokes they are much more
reliable i only use ionaztion on a limited basis

--
Nick Markowitz Jr.
Owner
Markowitz Electic Protection
Private Industry Fire Investigator.

Contributing Editor Pa. Firemans Magazine
Staff Editor www.securitymission.com
Senior Correspondant www.1strespondernews.com
Exclusive Correspondant www.nbfd.us
Contract Broadcast Engineer WAVL 910 AM apollo Pa.

"To error is human to realy foul things up requires a computer"
 
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