Subject: Re: Smoke Alarm sounds off from Dust?

From: [email-masked] (pwcnva2)
Date: 27 Mar 1997 13:07:53 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
   George Seaman CRL <[email-masked]> wrote:
>colbyt wrote:
>>
>Hello Colbyt,
>     Your smoke alarm more than likly uses a small amount of radiating
>material and the dust got in the way and caused it to go off.
>     Solution :  Cover the detector with a fine mesh filter (ie. nylon
>stocking, vacume dust bag,) BUT NOTE: this will disable the detector. 
>So when you are through remove the cover.
>     By the by the detector should now be removed and cleaned out
>because it has dust in it and is more like go off.
>
>George Seaman  CRL
>
>
> 
>> Twas down in the basement ripping away with my new saw when the smoke
>> alarm went off.  Neither the motor or the belt was hot.  No apparent
>> reason for the Smoke Dector to sound an alarm.  Does anway have any
>> input to offer?
>> 
>> Colbyt
>> I follow this group on a regular basis but:
>> if you prefer  email  [email-masked]

I agree with the above post.  If I remember correctly, there is a light beam 
inside the unit.  When that light beam is obstructed, the detector goes off.  
The obstruction could be smoke or dust, anything that will keep the beam from 
striking full strength on the receiver.  We used to have one outside the 
bathroom of our apartment, and sometimes the steam would set it off when you 
opened the door.
	Covering the smoke detector temporarily should do it.  I have seen 
contractors do this when sanding drywall.  Just remember to uncover it when 
you are through.  The heat detector buttons are also a good option.  I have 
seen heat detectors used in areas where the combustibles are alcohols or other 
substances that flash and don't smoke enough to set off a smoke detector right 
away.

Brad W.

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From: [email-masked] (Matt Verrochi)
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 13:52:02 GMT

>>> reason for the Smoke Dector to sound an alarm.  Does anway have any

Many smoke alarms measure density of the air - which is why mine goes berzerk when I get out of the hot, steamy shower and
let the air  just "circulate" our of the bathroom onto the smoke detector 2 feet from the door..

As far as suggestions go: I'd move the detector, get some type of "filter" like a rag or whatever to cover the detector
temporarily.  If the air is that dense, you're wearing a dust mask, right?
 
 Matt

[email-masked]
RC Cars, Parts and Radios for Sale at:
          http://www.tiac.net/users/verrochi/RCSALE.htm

---

From: [email-masked]
Date: 28 Mar 1997 20:13:13 GMT

> >In article <[email-masked]>,
  Does anway have any input to offer?
 
Turn off the smoke detector!

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From: Matt Bashore <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 1997 20:05:57 -0600

There are two common types of smoke detector  manufactured today.  The
ionization type and the photoelectric type.  I am guessing that you have
a photoelectric smoke detector installed in your basement.  The easiest
way to describe the operation of a photoelectric smoke detector is think
of the sensing chamber of the detector as being painted flat black.  On
one side of the chamber is a  light source.  On the other side of the
chamber is a photocell (looking for light).  There is a wall partially
across the sensing chamber blocking the light from reaching the
photocell. Since the walls of the chamber are painted black, than no
light is reaching the photocell.  When there is an actual fire, the
smoke enters the chamber and reflects the light from the light source in
the chamber into the photocell.  The problem with a common photoelectric
smoke detectors (Photoelectric is considered faster detecting and more
reliable than ionization detectors) is that it can not tell the
difference between smoke, dust, and steam.  The solution is to move the
detector into an area that is cleaner than your work shop.  I would not
recommend that you cover the detector temporarily because you may forget
to uncover the detector and you will be without protection.
Many commercial fire alarm systems have detectors that are more
intelligent  than the residencial detector, but they need a fire alarm
control panel to perform properly.

Matt Verrochi wrote:

  On 27 Mar 1997 13:07:53 GMT, [email-masked] (pwcnva2)

  >>> reason for the Smoke Dector to sound an alarm.  Does anway have
  any

  As far as suggestions go: I'd move the detector, get some type of
  "filter" like a rag or whatever to cover the detector
  temporarily.  If the air is that dense, you're wearing a dust mask,
  right?

   Matt

  [email-masked]