No smoke detector in Kitchen, LR, foyer

[kittygilchrist]

I'm in a new built Lantana. There is no smoke detector from the kitchen across the LR until going under an archway to the master br hallway.
smoke would have to cover the ceiling two feet thick to flow under the arch and set off an alarm.
Anybody know how to fix this?
I had a grease fire going with no warning.

[Indydealmaker]

I'm in a new built Lantana. There is no smoke detector from the kitchen across the LR until going under an archway to the master br hallway.
smoke would have to cover the ceiling two feet thick to flow under the arch and set off an alarm.
Anybody know how to fix this?
I had a grease fire going with no warning.

Just buy a battery powered smoke detector and stick it up on the wall. There is really no need to have these detectors wired in if you change the battery once or twice per year which you have to do with the wired ones anyway.

[graciegirl]

That seems a little under detectored. I'd call warranty just to see if you got shorted.

[billethkid]

the advantage of the wired detectors is they are all interconnected. When one goes off they all go off......the non wired battery powered are better than none.

Most smoke detector companies recommend against having one in the kitchen as there are far too many variables generated there i.e. cooking, dishwasher steam, etc that will set them off.

btk

[pooh]

Is the arch enclosed at the top? I have an opening there so the smoke can pass to the detector.

In addition to possibly buying a battery detector (I think there are some made for kitchens, will have to look to verify,) make sure you have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket, nearby.

From Consumer Reports........"To avoid false alarms, don't mount ionization smoke alarms in the kitchen, where burnt toast might set them off, or near sources of steam such as a bathroom, laundry room, or sauna. Don't install CO units in the kitchen or near any cooking appliance, in the garage, or near the furnace or water heater......."


Hope no damage.

[skip0358]

I don't have a Lantana but I do have one outside the Kitchen area on the Living Room side of the arch to the bedrooms. As another poster said I wouldn't put one in the Kitchen as they are very sensitive and most times people wind up removing the batteries. Add on just outside the Kitchen area just remember it won't be connected to the others. I also added 2 in my garage heat/smoke Combo. I test them and hope that's the only time I hear them..

[57ChevyFI]

I have a new Lantana and just noticed the same thing. Let me know what the warranty dept says to you.

[kittygilchrist]

home warranty said it wouldn't have passed inspection not up to code and to call the electrician for an explanation of locations of detectors.
I have detectors only in bedrooms and hallways...can't wait to hear the rest of the story.

[kittygilchrist]

electrician says it's up to code, they never put them in the kitchen, detectors are to wake you up to get out of the house when it's burning, not to prevent fires.

Okey dokey. 60% of this house could hold 2 feet thick of smoke without it curling under an arch to reach a detector. I moved from a house with a detector in the kitchen and I'm gonna go get one and install it. I'd rather reset it after burnt toast..than to be one.

[kittygilchrist]

Just buy a battery powered smoke detector and stick it up on the wall. There is really no need to have these detectors wired in if you change the battery once or twice per year which you have to do with the wired ones anyway.

turns out that's the best idea..thanks.

[Ooper]

Florida building code only requires detectors in all bedrooms and outside the bedrooms. If you have 2 bedrooms connected by a hall, 1 detector in the hall will suffice.

[DianeM]

Seems as if buying a battery operated unit makes sense but truly, Kitty, having worked for a manufacturer of smoke alarms at one point, you don't need to put one in the kitchen. Anything and everything can set them off and they become more annoying that they are worth. The theory is that if you are burning food, you are awake and know it so you can do something about it without being told by an alarm that there is a problem. Of course, you need to do what lets you sleep at night. The battery ones are pretty easy to install. A few screws and you're good to go.

[Madelaine Amee]

Most smoke detector companies recommend against having one in the kitchen as there are far too many variables generated there i.e. cooking, dishwasher steam, etc that will set them off.

btk

Mine in the kitchen is a real pain, it goes off whenever I am using the oven - especially when using high heat cooking a roast and fixings. Sometimes I'd like to tear the thing off the wall!

In fact, I have the plastic dust cover which comes with the alarm in place right now. I have another in the LR and one right behind the kitchen in a bedroom so I think I am pretty well covered for smoke alarms.

[kittygilchrist]

I'll get one and test the sensitivity b4 deciding where to install it. I did have one in my last house in kitchen and it gave early warning a few times. to me worth false alarms.