1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[HELP!!!] Smoke Alarms Won't Shut Off

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Harrisment, Jan 3, 2011.

Tags:
  1. Harrisment

    Harrisment Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2001
    Messages:
    15,392
    Likes Received:
    2,157
    So I had the brilliant idea of cooking steaks tonight on a cast iron skillet, indoors. Needless to say it set off the smoke alarms. The problem is that the smoke cleared over an hour ago, but the smoke alarm continues to go off. And it's not just the one in my kitchen, it's ALL SIX OF THEM THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE! I finally got them shut off by removing all the batteries and figuring out which breaker they were connected to. I left the breaker off for over an hour, but the second I flip it back on the alarms start going crazy again. I've tried pushing the hush button on the alarms, but they come right back on a few seconds later.

    Does anyone have any idea what could cause this? The smoke is cleared so I can't figure out wtf is going on. The breaker also runs all the power for my bedroom, so it's a pain in the ass to leave it off. Any ideas are appreciated! Or if anyone know what type of specialist (electrician?) I'd call to look at this that would be a big help as well.
     
  2. KingCheetah

    KingCheetah Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Messages:
    55,908
    Likes Received:
    47,609
    Clear the bong.
     
  3. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 1999
    Messages:
    34,132
    Likes Received:
    1,020
    1. Batteries may be low, but if it is all of them I doubt that is the culprit.

    2. Hold down the button to reset the alarms.

    3. Vacuum the alarms or blow them out with an air duster.

    Never heard of smoke alarms being connected to a breaker but oh well, maybe bad wiring if that is the case.
     
  4. MourningWood

    MourningWood Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2009
    Messages:
    5,096
    Likes Received:
    658
    Dude.
     
  5. Commodore

    Commodore Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    Messages:
    30,841
    Likes Received:
    14,340
    I did this exact same thing searing a steak on a cast iron skillet (did you watch the Good Eats episode?)

    I just unplugged the smoke alarms and waited it out, not sure what else to tell you. You should be able to disconnect the smoke alarm from the ceiling temporarily. Maybe try it with batteries outside to confirm there is no smoke in the house.
     
  6. Harrisment

    Harrisment Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2001
    Messages:
    15,392
    Likes Received:
    2,157
    Yeah it's not a battery issue, because when the batteries are low it just beeps once every 5 mins or so. This happened when I was cooking so I know that was the culprit. I just can't figure out why they are still going off. This sucks! :(
     
  7. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    123,881
    Likes Received:
    32,774
    Was the steak good?

    DD
     
  8. Eps

    Eps Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    Messages:
    401
    Likes Received:
    5
    throw em the toilet! :cool:
     
  9. The Real Shady

    The Real Shady Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2000
    Messages:
    17,170
    Likes Received:
    3,966
    <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3TluVR4AcIE?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3TluVR4AcIE?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
     
  10. AkeemTheDreem86

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2007
    Messages:
    3,019
    Likes Received:
    1,494
  11. CheezeyBoy22

    CheezeyBoy22 Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2005
    Messages:
    6,116
    Likes Received:
    2,459
    That's what I was wondering...
     
  12. Xerobull

    Xerobull You son of a b!tch! I'm in!

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2003
    Messages:
    33,254
    Likes Received:
    30,752
    Some smoke alarms can be networked via a wireless signal so they all go off at the same time. Google the model.
     
  13. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 1999
    Messages:
    62,497
    Likes Received:
    56,089
    Hard-wired detectors all speak to each other; that is, they are wired together. So it makes sense that when one goes off, then they all go off. That's what they are supposed to do, in case you are asleep and the furthest one from you detected an actual fire, they all go off, so you wake up.

    So, it is conceivable that the one that picked up the smoke first still thinks there is smoke, or it is malfunctioning, and making the downstream ones stay on.

    Blow out your kitchen one, like Lil Pun suggested.

    If that doesn't work, do process of elimination. Turn off breaker to the first one, and cap the wires. Turn breaker back on...what happens. If they are all off, go grab the one furthest from the kitchen, and install that in the kitchen...again turning off the breaker first. What happens? If they are all silent, then the kitchen one was still thinking there was a fire. Move it to the room where you took out the second one.

    Apparently, you can also call the fire dept, like a kiitty up a tree call.
     
  14. Harrisment

    Harrisment Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2001
    Messages:
    15,392
    Likes Received:
    2,157
    Crisis resolved. Whatever it was cleared and after 2 hours I was able to turn the breaker back on and put the batteries back in them. Thanks those of you that tried to help. :)
     
  15. Harrisment

    Harrisment Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2001
    Messages:
    15,392
    Likes Received:
    2,157
    Oh yeah and the steak was awesome, but my wife was so pissed about the smoke alarms she wouldn't admit that they were good.
     
  16. RoxSqaud

    RoxSqaud Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Messages:
    9,508
    Likes Received:
    607
  17. codell

    codell Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2002
    Messages:
    19,312
    Likes Received:
    710
    At least in Houston, its pretty much code that all smoke detectors in a house are wired together (which is why when one goes off, they all go off) and powered by the electrical power in the house. The batteries are just used as a backup power supply in the event of power lose.


    EDIT: Didn't see HP's post. What he said. :)
     
  18. OmegaSupreme

    OmegaSupreme Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2003
    Messages:
    6,377
    Likes Received:
    1,457
    hopefully it won't come back on during the night. do you have an alarm system that the smokes could be tied in to? possibly needs to be reset with some key sequence?
     
  19. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 1999
    Messages:
    34,132
    Likes Received:
    1,020
  20. Lil Pun

    Lil Pun Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 1999
    Messages:
    34,132
    Likes Received:
    1,020
    BTW, that may sound weird but our fire department does a yearly check of home smoke detectors and replacement of batteries. They will also replace for free faulty ones with the $5 versions you can get at Walmart or Lowes. I think it's a nice setup. Of course not sure if they'll continue with all the budget cuts going on.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now