Fire Alarm Sensitivity

[ReneeG]

Couple of things on the sensitivity of fire alarms. I know they are made to detect the slightest smoke, even before we see it, but ours often goes off when I make muffins and a slight drip of the batter on the pan burns. DH stands up by it fanning it with a pot holder and that stops it. How many of you have to do this too? My poor Mica, goes running for a place to hide when it goes off. With it's sensitivity, is a toaster going to set it off? We've been RV'ing in various towablesl for close to 20 years and have been making toast under the broiler, so I thought I would buy a little inexpensive two slice toaster. Is it going to set off the alarm with all those little bits of crumbs that are going to burn? I'm debating whether continuing to broil my toast.

[ReneeG]

OkSixpack wrote:
I know it's off subject, but be sure you have a sign on your door letting someone know there will be a little dog hiding somewhere in case there is a fire when you are not there. They make signs just for that.
Jim

Thank you for the reminder. I have one of those signs. But could never get the suction cup to work. I'll figure something out. We always take them both with us, but there could be that one time.

[OkSixpack]

I know it's off subject, but be sure you have a sign on your door letting someone know there will be a little dog hiding somewhere in case there is a fire when you are not there. They make signs just for that.
Jim

[colliehauler]

Murphsmom wrote:
I tried those shower cap looking food covers. They made no difference at all. We pulled the alarm off the ceiling over the stove and set it in the rear of the trailer. Even boiling water for pasta set it off....no smoke at all.

The first smoke alarm we had (the one that came with the trailer) jiggled off of its mounting while we were on the road. When we opened the slide, it got crushed. Installing the alarm where it can't be seen when the slide was in was NOT a good idea on the part of the manufacturer.

My smoke alarm was mounted over the stove as well. Just lighting the stove set it off. I relocated mine as well and filled the holes in the ceiling. They put the surround speaker where you could only open the pantry door half way.

I threw away the cheap detector that came with the trailer and bought a smoke and carbon monoxide detector that talks.

[ReneeG]

2gypsies wrote:
Another thing that works is to purchase one of those old-time bowl covers with elastic around the edges. Dollar stores sometimes handle them. It's easy to slip over the smoke alarm. Just remember to take it off when leaving for the day or at night.

I'll try this before replacing the alarm since it's the cheaper option. Thanks!

[ReneeG]

tatest wrote:
By smoke detector standards, if you are making toast, you are burning something: bread.

This is why in residences, ionization smoke detectors (the cheapest kind to make) are not installed in kitchens. Similarly, photoelectric detectors are not installed in bathrooms (where fog from condensing water vapor triggers them).

Problem with detector in a RV is that everything is pretty much in the same room.

If the detector is too close to where you cook, replace it with a photoelectric, which detects smoke particles and fog. If that is the only detector, install an ionization detector in your sleeping area, assuming that is far enough away. Ionization detectors are preferred generally for earliest notification, as well as low cost and low maintenance.

Second mention of a photoelectric alarm. Will have to look into that.

[2gypsies1]

Another thing that works is to purchase one of those old-time bowl covers with elastic around the edges. Dollar stores sometimes handle them. It's easy to slip over the smoke alarm. Just remember to take it off when leaving for the day or at night.

[tatest]

By smoke detector standards, if you are making toast, you are burning something: bread.

This is why in residences, ionization smoke detectors (the cheapest kind to make) are not installed in kitchens. Similarly, photoelectric detectors are not installed in bathrooms (where fog from condensing water vapor triggers them).

Problem with detector in a RV is that everything is pretty much in the same room.

If the detector is too close to where you cook, replace it with a photoelectric, which detects smoke particles and fog. If that is the only detector, install an ionization detector in your sleeping area, assuming that is far enough away. Ionization detectors are preferred generally for earliest notification, as well as low cost and low maintenance.

[ReneeG]

Seems that the more I read, the more I've decided to take the toaster back. At least using the broiler doesn't set off the alarm, yet baking muffins does. Then again, I had wrapped two burritos in foil and stuck them in the oven on the solid shelf below the wire rack where the muffins were. When I took out the burritos and unwrapped them, the bottoms were charred. They are most likely the cause for the alarm to go off. Maybe taping over the slots will work?

[Murphsmom]

I tried those shower cap looking food covers. They made no difference at all. We pulled the alarm off the ceiling over the stove and set it in the rear of the trailer. Even boiling water for pasta set it off....no smoke at all.

The first smoke alarm we had (the one that came with the trailer) jiggled off of its mounting while we were on the road. When we opened the slide, it got crushed. Installing the alarm where it can't be seen when the slide was in was NOT a good idea on the part of the manufacturer.

[ken56]

I have to put my toaster under the range hood and turn it on to keep the smoke detector form going off. That seems to be adequate and my detector is pretty close to the range top. I had the batteries pulled at first and grew uncomfortable with that solution. You just never know what and when the unthinkable will happen.

[D_E_Bishop]

If you didn't have the pup you would be in good shape for a alarm with a mute button, but the way it is, at least you can remove the note from your pre travel list about testing it before starting off from home.

[rockhillmanor]

Just either pull the battery slide out or cover the whole unit with a shower cap.

Both ways you will 'see' it and notice it and remember to push the battery slide back in or take the cover off when done cooking.

[ReneeG]

Thank you for all the feedback!

Michael - great idea. I have those shower cap looking food covers that I can use and Ava - good idea to put a note or hang something on it so that I remember to remove the cover.
DutchmanSport - I tried to remove the batteries and it beeped like crazy, sending my little Mica into a frenzy, so I abandoned that idea.
NanciL - we have a 35' fifth wheel and the fire alarm is mounted on the ceiling at the top of the stairs between the kitchen area and the bedroom. Seems like a good location for its purpose but what a pain when it goes off.
3oaks - we too have a Fantastic Fan in the area directly above the kitchen, but on a 31 degree morning, I didn't want to run the Fan and suck out all the warm air. I already have one window slightly open for venting purposes when cooking. DH ordered a batter powered fan that we are going to mount on the pantry shelf directly opposite the fire alarm and aim it at the thing when I'm cooking. I like the cover idea though.
rockhillmanor - poor baby! The last thing I want to do is create a conditioned response with Mica, so maybe I'll take the toaster back. For the number of times we would use it, it may not be worth it after all.

[rockhillmanor]

mgirardo wrote:
You can purchase covers that go over the smoke detector so it doesn't go off while cooking. You can also use a shower cap. Just make sure you take it off when you are done cooking-Michael

X2
All RV's have this same problem.

Regarding the toaster? In my MH I had to put the toaster on the shelf in the bedroom so it doesn't set off the alarm.

The alarm bothered one of my dogs so bad that even now just the "smell" of toast sets her off screaming with the anticipation of the smoke detector going off. :R