This FAQ serves to guide you on what to do in event of false alarms in smoke detectors.
A false alarm is an event where a smoke detector is triggered but there’s no smoke around. False alarm is usually caused by some fine particles entering the smoke sensing chamber. As these particles move around in the chamber, they affect the photoelectric behaviour and may trigger the smoke detector.
This is the reason why we do not recommend installing smoke detectors in dusty, greasy, high humidity or windy areas. You can refer to this post to find out where to avoid installing smoke detectors. If you have smoke detectors in any of these areas, you may have to consider relocating that smoke detector.
If the smoke detector isn’t in any of these areas, then it may be just sheer luck that some fine particles entered the smoke sensing chamber of the smoke detector. In this case, perform a maintenance on the smoke detector. You can refer to this post on how to how a simple cleaning of the smoke detector.
There are 2 ways of maintenance:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Compressed air duster
Compressed air duster (#2) is the preferred option but if you do not have a canister of compressed air duster, the vacuum cleaner option is a good alternative.
If after doing maintenance with vacuum cleaner and false alarms persist, then you may have to consider purchasing a compressed air duster. You can find them from Lazada or Shopee.
If after doing maintenance with compressed air duster and false alarms persist, you may have to consider relocating that smoke detector even though it may not be installed in any of abovementioned dusty, greasy, high humidity or windy areas.