Why Do Smoke Alarms Beep When There Is No Smoke?

Kitchen Activity

• Steam and residual vapors from cooking, subtle smoke from toasters or indoor rotisseries, and grease drippings in hot ovens can trigger false alarms in smoke detectors.

Showers and Baths

• Heavy steam from showers, baths or steam rooms interrupts the beams inside smoke detector sensors, sounding alarms even when areas protected by the detectors remain void of smoke.

Heavy Dust and Work Areas

• Wood shops, workshops and other areas with heavy airborne dust concentrations frequently cause false alarms in smoke detectors.

Low Batteries

• Many makes and models of smoke detectors emit intermittent beeps as batteries begin running low. Most smoke detector manufacturers suggest changing batteries once or twice each year to ensure that alarms remain in good working order.

Effective Alternative

• Heat detectors offer alternatives to smoke alarms in areas of heavy steam, dust or residual cooking smoke. Such detectors possess sensors triggered by sharp spikes in temperature rather than smoke.