How to Temporarily Silence Smoke Alarm While Cooking Without Disabling Safety?

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How can I stop a smoke alarm from going off while cooking without disabling fire safety?

You generally should not add a temporary on/off switch; the practical fix is to move the detector away from the kitchen or replace the ionization unit with an approved photo-electric smoke detector. [#21661058][#21661061][#21661060] Ionization alarms are commonly the cheaper type and can trip on cooking steam or a little smoke, while photo-electric models are less prone to nuisance trips. [#21661064][#21661061] If you cannot relocate it because of apartment rules, check the local laws before changing detector types and only use an approved detector. [#21661061]

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Suggesting adjustable sensitivity or timed hush switch
#1 21661057 03 Feb 2012 14:33

Yves Lauzon Yves Lauzon

Anonymous

Suggesting adjustable sensitivity or timed hush switch
Post #1 21661057 03 Feb 2012 14:33

Now I know that in the name of safety we all must live with these devices but we can't cook in our home without this annoying smoke detector going off, not even the toaster can be used without waking someone up. Isn't there anything out there that can be used to do one of the following, adjust the sensitivity or mount a temporary on/off or timed switch connected to the smoke alarm to temporarily turn it on/off while cooking without feeling like we are losing our
minds?
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#2 21661058 03 Feb 2012 14:47

Scott Wohler Scott Wohler

Anonymous

Post #2
21661058 03 Feb 2012 14:47

Perhaps locating the detector where it won't be affected by smoke / heat from the kitchen?
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#3 21661059 03 Feb 2012 15:19

Steve Lawson Steve Lawson

Anonymous

Post #3
21661059 03 Feb 2012 15:19

In a case similar to my own, that's not a option as I live in an apartment and the owner is not cool with such modifications
#4 21661060 03 Feb 2012 15:27

Scott Wohler Scott Wohler

Anonymous

Post #4
21661060 03 Feb 2012 15:27

Fair enough. Still, I don't think modifying it is a smart solution. Or a legal one, for that matter. Not that I've never taken the 9V out of one for this very reason...
Photoelectric detector suggested as less sensitive alternative
#5 21661061 03 Feb 2012 15:32

Steve Lawson Steve Lawson

Anonymous

Photoelectric detector suggested as less sensitive alternative
Post #5 21661061 03 Feb 2012 15:32

It's the smoke detectors that are based on a radioactive source (Americium 241, to be exact). They are extremely sensitive (over-kill, in my opinion). You could try replacing it with a photo-electric smoke detector. They're not as sensitive.

caveat: Check the laws in your state: they might exclude photo-electric smoke detectors. Also, only use an approved smoke detector (in other words, don't sew me if you DO replace your smoke detector and your house burns down!!!)
#6 21661062 03 Feb 2012 21:29

DAVID CUTHBERT DAVID CUTHBERT

Anonymous

Post #6
21661062 03 Feb 2012 21:29

Yves, either your cooking is like mine, your smoke alarm is too sensitive, or it is in a bad location (right over the stove?).

But I suspect it's not your cooking so perhaps a different smoke alarm or moving the smoke alarm will cure the problem.
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#7 21661063 10 Apr 2012 10:04

Mike Yal Mike Yal

Anonymous

Post #7
21661063 10 Apr 2012 10:04

Try this site http://www.visacon.com
#8 21661064 09 Sep 2012 03:21

Mark C Nakamura Mark C Nakamura

Anonymous

Post #8
21661064 09 Sep 2012 03:21

Most smoke detectors are ionization models (tend to be cheaper) and they go off when when you cook or shower if there is a lot of steam or a little smoke. An electric model won't go off so easily because it detects fire/smoke in a different way. They cost just a bit more but it is SO worth it!

Electrical service
Dust from vacuum triggered full building alarm shutdown
#9 21661065 09 Sep 2012 05:41

Sarah Harris Sarah Harris

Anonymous

Dust from vacuum triggered full building alarm shutdown
Post #9 21661065 09 Sep 2012 05:41

the mains ones can be just as sensitive, a couple of years back (when i was more mobile) i was helping my husband at work (he's a bathroom fitter) and got asked to help him clear up at the end of a job in an old peoples residential home, I started vacuuming and the residual dust in his vacuum expelled a large plume of dust which activated the fire alarms. the whole building went into shut down, 150 residents were electrically locked in their flats, all fire doors were electrically slammed shut and locked. all power in the building was disabled etc....until the fire services arrived to individually release all of the doors and captives. very embarrassing
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#10 21661066 09 Sep 2012 08:00

Steve Lawson Steve Lawson

Anonymous

Post #10
21661066 09 Sep 2012 08:00

No need to be embarrassed! That's a ludicrous system that is way too sensitive and way too "overkill"! It's the designer that should be embarrassed!!
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Topic summary

The discussion addresses the challenge of smoke alarms frequently triggering during cooking due to their high sensitivity, particularly ionization smoke detectors that respond to minor smoke or steam. Relocating detectors away from kitchens is suggested but may be impractical in rental apartments. Modifying or disabling alarms is discouraged due to safety and legal concerns. A recommended solution is replacing ionization detectors with photoelectric smoke alarms, which are less sensitive to cooking smoke and steam, though compliance with local regulations must be verified. Hardwired (mains-powered) alarms can also be overly sensitive, as illustrated by an incident where dust triggered a building-wide alarm system causing extensive lockdowns. Overall, selecting appropriate detector types and proper placement are key to minimizing nuisance alarms without compromising safety.
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How to Temporarily Silence Smoke Alarm While Cooking Without Disabling Safety?

How can I stop a smoke alarm from going off while cooking without disabling fire safety?

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