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.

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Posted in: Water Systems Q & A Comments(5) January 2010


5 Responses to “Would My Water Heater Trigger My Smoke Detector?”

  1. toddk57@ Says:
    January 25th, 2010 at 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…

  2. kathysey Says:
    January 25th, 2010 at 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.

  3. Life after 45 Says:
    January 25th, 2010 at 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.

  4. landscap Says:
    January 25th, 2010 at 8:56 am

    get a new detector for sure…….not worth messing around with for 10 bucks

  5. hunniebu Says:
    January 25th, 2010 at 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!!!

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