Smoke detector
 

We replaced our smoke detector about 1 year ago. It is so sensitive it goes off even if you are cooking on the top of the stove. It is so frustrating. Any suggestions other than removing the battery?

Contact the company. It is probably defective and they may replace it. If that doesn't work, I would replace it anyway, as the annoyance would be crazy-making.

Removing the battery might not help. These detectors are hard-wired in many (most? or all?) units in TV.

Just curious, Im sure the detector is located on the ceiling but how close to the stove top is it?

Removing the battery won't work. You need to rotate the detector and pull it off of the plastic frame, and then unplug it. If replacing the detector doesn't work, you may need to relocate it so it does not go off when cooking.

If you need to relocate it, and you don't want to rewire it, you can purchase a 10-year, sealed battery type detector, that will operate as a stand alone device.

Are you sure it's a smoke detector, and not a CO detector?

Do you use the exhaust fan when cooking? Ours only goes off when something drips on the element in the oven or the toaster oven element. As noted above, you may want to call the company about a defective unit. The kitchen detector should be a straight smoke detector, the CO detector are located outside the bedrooms.

I have a 4 year old house, and I don't have a smoke detector or CO detector anywhere near the kitchen area. I have 4 detectors and they are all located near the bedrooms.

I am going to replace it. This is the third one we have had and the most annoying. Thanks everyone for your replies.

There are two types of smoke detectors. Photoelectric, ionization and ones that do both. Ionization is the cheapest and probably what you have. Get a photoelectric and your problem is solved. Those are better at detecting smoldering fires anyways.

I am surprised the two engineers who commented didn't know this. I guess we can learn from each other.

In our home the detector close to the kitchen is a CO type;however, the photoelectric is a good recommendation, but remember to blow them out with canned air @ least once a year

We totally replaced the entire smoke alarm system in our home with the Omnishield system. Contact Andy Lamb at alambfire@yahoo.com to learn about the system. Tell him I recommended the system. Do you think your garage is some place that a major fire may occur.....auto, golf cart, h/w heater, lawn equip, etc., etc. Did you know that The Villages DOES NOT put fire alarms in our garages!!!!

I redid the section above the range and put in a exhaust fan vented to the exterior. may be more than you want to do....

You need to make sure to get photo electric verses ionization type detectors. You also need to make sure all of your detectors are the same brand. They have to work together as a team. If they are different, you will have problems.

As a retired firefighter and alarm technician, I can attest to this. Also, if your house has is all electric, there is no need for CO detectors, so don't waste your money on these.

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If you call Community Watch 352-753-0550 they arrange for the (non-emergency) Fire Dept to come out and replace batteries so we don't have to climb ladders. They want the residents to have batteries &/ or a new detector at the house when they come out.

I would suggest you give CW a call & see if they would be able to check the position of the alarm & if you have a new detector they might be able to help you. This is a great service that they perform for us and they are happy to do it.