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Subject Author Date
Testing a smoke detector Walter R. 04-23-2008
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Posted by G. Morgan on April 24, 2008, 8:37 pm
Walter R. wrote:

>I am having a security system with smoke detectors installed.
>
>The magnetic switches and infrareds are easy but, how do I test the smoke
>detectors? (Without setting the house on fire.)

The smokes used by professionals actually have a built-in magnetic reed
switch. Have your installer show you how to test it with a magnet and ask him
to leave a manual behind. Be sure to call the monitoring center and put the
system on "test" before you do that.... Unless you want to see fire trucks in
your driveway.

I prefer testing with "smoke in a can", available at home centers & hardware
stores. Be *sure* to follow the instructions, otherwise you can clog the
sensing chamber.

Do NOT use candles, cigarettes, matches, (flashlights!?!) or anything else
that was suggested by some of the respondents. You could damage the
sensitivity of the unit.

--

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Posted by David Nebenzahl on April 25, 2008, 11:52 pm
On 4/24/2008 5:37 PM G. Morgan spake thus:

> Do NOT use candles, cigarettes, matches, (flashlights!?!) or anything else
> that was suggested by some of the respondents. You could damage the
> sensitivity of the unit.

Now that makes absolutely no sense. Unless you're saying that once a
smoke detector detects smoke, it must be discarded because it's damaged;
are you?


--
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute
conversation with the average voter.

- Attributed to Winston Churchill

Posted by G. Morgan on April 26, 2008, 9:48 pm
David Nebenzahl wrote:

>> Do NOT use candles, cigarettes, matches, (flashlights!?!) or anything else
>> that was suggested by some of the respondents. You could damage the
>> sensitivity of the unit.
>
>Now that makes absolutely no sense. Unless you're saying that once a
>smoke detector detects smoke, it must be discarded because it's damaged;
>are you?

Actually, yes. Of course it depends on how much smoke. If it was just set
off by the wife burning a cake in the oven, no, of course not. But holding
burning items like candles and paper close to the unit can (and will) cause
particulate to accumulate in the sensing chamber. See my reply to Smitty.



--

I kill all Google Group posts, you can too.
Take back Usenet <--> http://improve-usenet.org

Posted by Smitty Two on April 26, 2008, 12:02 am

> Walter R. wrote:
>
> >I am having a security system with smoke detectors installed.
> >
> >The magnetic switches and infrareds are easy but, how do I test the smoke
> >detectors? (Without setting the house on fire.)
>
> The smokes used by professionals actually have a built-in magnetic reed
> switch. Have your installer show you how to test it with a magnet and ask him
> to leave a manual behind. Be sure to call the monitoring center and put the
> system on "test" before you do that.... Unless you want to see fire trucks in
> your driveway.
>
> I prefer testing with "smoke in a can", available at home centers & hardware
> stores. Be *sure* to follow the instructions, otherwise you can clog the
> sensing chamber.
>
> Do NOT use candles, cigarettes, matches, (flashlights!?!) or anything else
> that was suggested by some of the respondents. You could damage the
> sensitivity of the unit.

Huh? Are you the manufacturer of "smoke in a can?" I'd say anything that
produces smoke should work to test a smoke detector. As far as my
flashlight note, I didn't just pull that idea out of my ass. The
directions that came with the unit specifically say to test that unit
that way.

Posted by G. Morgan on April 26, 2008, 9:45 pm
Smitty Two wrote:

>> Do NOT use candles, cigarettes, matches, (flashlights!?!) or anything else
>> that was suggested by some of the respondents. You could damage the
>> sensitivity of the unit.
>
>Huh? Are you the manufacturer of "smoke in a can?"

No. But I am a licensed professional alarm installer.

>I'd say anything that
>produces smoke should work to test a smoke detector.

And you would only be half right. Sure, you'll find out if it worked but it
can damage the detector. When real smoke gets inside the unit's sensing
chamber it leaves a residue. Smoke residue along with dust and other
particles can affect the sensitivity of the unit. Worst case is the
sensitivity is decreased and a fire is not detected fast enough. The other
scenario is potential for false alarms.

It is recommended to clean or replace the sensing chamber of smoke detectors
following the manufacturers directions annually..


> As far as my
>flashlight note, I didn't just pull that idea out of my ass. The
>directions that came with the unit specifically say to test that unit
>that way.

If you say so. I don't deal with cheapo smoke detectors.




--

I kill all Google Group posts, you can too.
Take back Usenet <--> http://improve-usenet.org

Page 3 of 4       < 1 2 3 > last >>
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