Why does steam set off my fire alarm?

Posted by admin on February 22nd, 2010 and filed under fire alarm | 5 Comments »

My fire alarm is right outside my bathroom, and whenever I take a hot shower, the steam sets off my fire alarm. Why is that?

most smoke detectors measure the density of the air around it steam makes the air denser therefore setting of the alarm

5 Responses

  1. flikapotamus Says:

    because steam contains heat setting of the sensor
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  2. Cokey Says:

    Many fire alarms look for not only smoke, but heat. But still, that’s pretty damn sensitive. Get a new one?
    References :

  3. Kurtis G Says:

    Most smoke detectors use a sight style sensor. If smoke (or steam) obstructs the signal between the transmitter and sensor, it trips the alarm. (I think it’s infrared signal.)

    If you had a fire detector, that works on heat. They are used primarily in systems that include a sprinkler system.
    References :

  4. rwa000 Says:

    most smoke detectors measure the density of the air around it steam makes the air denser therefore setting of the alarm
    References :

  5. renpen Says:

    Go to "howstuffworks.com/smoke. The detector sees the steam the same way it see the smoke.
    References :

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