Would My Water Heater Trigger My Smoke Detector?
OK, so we just moved in to this new apartment, and we used the tub to take baths, but the hot water runs out mid-way through the bath (and even in a shower!). Yesterday, I took a half-hot, half-cool shower (LOL) and afterwards (about 5 minutes later or so) the smoke detector above the door in the bedroom where the water heater is (in the closet) starts going off. I couldn’t smell anything strange or smokey or anything that would set off the detector. I fanned it, and it shut off. I told our maintenance guy about it, and he came and turned up the temp on the water heater (he said it was down WAY low), and he chalked the smoke alarm off as a malfunctioning/old smoke detector.
Do you think the water heater would’ve triggered the smoke detector, even though *I* couldn’t smell anything? Or, do you think he’s right, in that the detector was malfunctioning.
None of the other detectors in the house went off (there’s one in each bedroom).
It’s an electric water heater, not gas.
Related posts:
- My Carbon Monoxide Detector Is Going Off In The Closet With The Hot Water Heater?
- My 6 Yr Old Electric Hot Water Heater Has A Bad-burning Plastic Smell And Has Tripped The Breaker. Help!?
- How Hot Should Water Heater Be?
- My Gas Water Heater Doesn’t Always Create Hot Water In The Morning. What Could Be Wrong?
- Water Heater?
January 25, 2010 @ 4:00 am
No : ” Electric water Heaters” does not cause smoke alarms
to sound off because some times the “Pilotlight” would go out
if not kept adjusted as needed see http://www.electric.waterheaters.service…
January 25, 2010 @ 8:00 am
I have had this experience when it got very, very steamy in our bathrm. and the steam went out into the bedrm. and set off the alarm – several times. I don’t think the smoke alarm detects the difference betwn. smoke and steam. I think when hot air goes into it it sounds off.
January 25, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Does your smoke detector also have carbon monoxide detection? I’m no expert, but maybe some form of carbon monoxide is being given off by the water heater or it’s effect on surrounding material? Just a thought.
January 25, 2010 @ 8:56 am
get a new detector for sure…….not worth messing around with for 10 bucks
January 25, 2010 @ 12:29 pm
according 2 ur detector… but yes, it can make sum go off. mine was located near my b/r and when the steam hit, it would go off… evrytime!!!
April 6, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
I’ve noticed that happening lately too, just since it’s gotten warmer. I still don’t have any air conditioning running, so the house is fairly warm. The last time I’ve taken a hot shower in the hall bathroom with the door open, I’ve noticed that the smoke detector in the hall goes off (but not the carbon monoxide detector next to it). It stays on for a minute or two, then cuts off and doesn’t come back on. The first time it happened, it startled me, because I couldn’t see any smoke and there was nothing electrical running that could have shorted out. If it continues to be so touchy, I may have to get another one.
August 10, 2010 @ 2:48 pm
Most smoke detectors are photoelectric. They sense particles in the air, that is why steam has the ability to set off your detectors. Dust and cob webs can also cause your detectors to trigger.
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