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Old 10-17-2012, 05:18 PM   #1
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Smoke detector

I replaced my factory smoke detector with one designed for a kitchen. It has a re-set button that shuts it down for 10 minutes without removing the battery. I found it difficult to remove the battery on the factory unit.

However, this new detector is so sensitive that we constantly have to shut it down, just making coffee in the morning.

Any recommendations?

baglo

PS: as a news photographer for 42 years who has covered many fires, I live in a 800 square foot house with three smoke alarms, a carbon monoxide alarm and four fire extinguishers.



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Old 10-17-2012, 06:24 PM   #2
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Re: Smoke detector

Canadian Tire has Universal IoPhic Smoke and Fire Alarm. They apparently rule out kitchen cooking odors and such. I haven't tried one so do not know how well they work.
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Old 10-17-2012, 07:11 PM   #3
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Re: Smoke detector

Reviews for that unit on the Canadian Tire site are extremely poor. Rates one star.

ie. Dissapointment at best......
October 13, 2011
"No better at deciphering between false and real alarms than the 20 year old cheap alarm it replaced. Stove, shower etc. all cause false alarms. Also when you push the button to silence the unit it only silences it for a second before it starts going off again. It's getting returned for something else."

That is pretty much the tone of all the reviews.

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Old 10-17-2012, 08:37 PM   #4
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Re: Smoke detector

After losing loved ones in a house fire there is no such thing as too many smoke detectors or fire extinguishers. A false alarm is beter than no alarm
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Old 10-18-2012, 04:52 AM   #5
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Re: Smoke detector

Some plastic containers (margarine, Rubbermaid, etc) fit perfectly over the alarms. Just slide one on before cooking and remove it when done.

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Old 10-18-2012, 11:23 AM   #6
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Re: Smoke detector

What type is your SD? This article describes the two different types. If yours is an Ionization one, then it may be too sensitive. We had this issue in our house/kitchen also.
http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthi.../aa071401a.htm
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Old 10-18-2012, 01:14 PM   #7
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Re: Smoke detector

We replaced our factory one earlier this year and picked up a "Kidde" one at Home Depot.. Model number p9040CA

Says it reduces nuisance alarms and has a hush button, it only went off once this year and that was with burning toast (it should have gone off!!!)

It says it is "photoelectric technology" ideal near kitchens and bathrooms...
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Old 10-18-2012, 10:42 PM   #8
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Re: Smoke detector

Do those of you who do a lot of cooking inside the trailer have a problem with false alarms?

So far, we have been able to do most of the cooking outside on a Weber Q. But I did try pancakes on the Q griddle over the propane stove. The griddle got a bit hot, there was smoke, and the alarm went off. I just moved the alarm to the door for 10 minutes until the trailer was clear.
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Old 10-18-2012, 11:03 PM   #9
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Re: Smoke detector

I kinda have to apologize for starting this thread. Probably my alarm wouldn't go off if I ever turned on the stove fan ( sounds like a 747 ) or the MaxFan. But, then I would have to get out of bed before having my coffee.

We sleep with our heads on the passenger side of the 17B ( next to the fridge and the thermostat ). Our feet, the dog, and the coffee, prepped the night before are on the driver side, next to the sink and stove. Somebody has to sit up to light the stove. The stove warms the place and shortly after that the coffee is ready.

Shortly after that, I am ready for the day.

baglo
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Old 10-19-2012, 07:44 AM   #10
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Re: Smoke detector

All in the name of coffee eh! I can't say anything , with our 19ft and sleeping with head to the curb side I reach around and light the stove so coffee is ready before I even sit up in the morning. The less I try and do in the morning before coffee the better. I have never had the smoke detector go off but ushually have some windows open.
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Old 10-19-2012, 08:20 AM   #11
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Re: Smoke detector

Just imagine how much more simpler our life would be if Escape started using self lighting stoves!!
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Old 10-19-2012, 09:01 AM   #12
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Re: Smoke detector

But what about those of us who enjoy at least a small challenge in life now and again
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Old 10-19-2012, 09:07 AM   #13
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Re: Smoke detector

Manually grinding my coffee fresh in the morning means getting out of bed.

We have cooked a few times inside, mostly breakfasts, and I don't think have ever had the SD go off. We do use the hood fan to expel moisture though, and don't generally burn our food if it can be helped.
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Old 10-21-2012, 06:43 PM   #14
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Re: Smoke detector

Well thanks for your post, baglo! It made me wonder why we've never set the smoke alarm off, since we also lay in bed while the coffee is brewing (such as it is )

So I went out to the trailer and found that the battery had never been engaged, it was in the detector upside down. Maybe they do that for shipping. So much for checking its operation before every camping trip....
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Old 10-21-2012, 06:50 PM   #15
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Re: Smoke detector

I discovered the same ( battery reversed ) after about a year.

What I don't understand is that the new detector goes off when bringing water to the boil, but it's not like there is a lot of steam coming off the kettle, and the smoke detector is five feet away and around the corner.

baglo
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Old 10-21-2012, 07:28 PM   #16
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Re: Smoke detector

Too funny. Ours had the little plastic tab still stuck between the battery and the smoke detector. It was that way for months! :
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Old 10-22-2012, 03:46 PM   #17
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Re: Smoke detector

Baglo, et al

I am a former scientist who has done work with particle detection systems. It is not the steam setting off the smoke detector, but most likely the very tiny, sub-micron diameter particles from the combustion of the propane. Or it could be uncombusted gas components (tiny amounts) that are causing the detector to respond.

We have been wetting a paper towel and covering the detector when we are cooking (and sometimes venting as well) and that solves the problem. However, if any of you have tried using spray deoderant inside your trailer, you know that the CO/Propane alarm responds very quickly. It happened to me when camped in Denali Nat'l Park in August. Turns out that the primary inert ingredient in the spray deoderant I use is butane. Well, butane is only one carbon atom (and two hydrogen atoms) different from propane and, well, no wonder the detector went off. Just like it should.
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Old 10-22-2012, 04:32 PM   #18
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Re: Smoke detector

Many thanks for the learned post.

baglo
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