Will Your Humidifier Set Off The Smoke Detector?
Yes, a smoke detector can set off an alarm, but older ones are more likely to do this.
Unfortunately, this has been the cause of a lot of unnecessary panic.
(And unneeded trips by the fire brigade.)
Luckily, newer smoke alarms are much more unlikely to get set off this way.
Humidifiers set off smoke alarms because they’re not triggered by the smoke itself, but by a symptom that there is smoke in the area. Unfortunately, these devices struggle to differentiate between moisture particles and smoke.
As helpful as smoke detectors are, they can also be a headache.
How Humidifiers Work
Before I get into how smoke alarms work, let me briefly cover humidifiers.
Humidifiers work by adding moisture into the air through either steam or vapour.
There are many different kinds of humidifiers that work in different ways.
Some give off cool mist, while others give off warm mist.
Ultimately they help to raise the humidity levels in your home.
How Smoke Alarms Work
Smoke alarms work differently depending on the kind.
Ionized smoke alarms, which have been around much longer, work this way:
These detectors have two detector plates.
A low-level electric current is produced between the plates.
Smoke particles (or water vapour/steam) disrupt this current and set off the alarm.
The newer photoelectric smoke detectors work a little differently:
They work a bit like a garage door.
There are two sensors that have a light beam that passes through them.
If this beam is interrupted by smoke, it’ll set off an alarm.
Even with these alarms, steam and vapour can set off the alarm by causing the light to scatter in different directions.
This then can cause light to end up in the chamber with special light sensors.
Either way, a false alarm can be set off.
What You Can Do About False Alarms
Well:
You don’t want this to happen.
Not only is it frustrating, but it can also be quite stressful if you think that an actual fire is starting.
And it can alarm not only you but potentially, your neighbours.
Ideally, you’d probably like to minimize the number of false alarms that happens.
In fact, you might want it to be at a zero.
In that same breath, you’d like to keep using your humidifier.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your smoke detector from going off.
Set It Up In A Different Place
If you don’t want your smoke alarm going off needlessly:
Set it up somewhere else.
Not only can it be triggered by your humidifier, but it can also be triggered by:
- Steam from your kettle.
- Steam from your shower.
- Burnt food.
So, you might want to keep your smoke alarm a little bit away from your bathroom or kitchen.
And your bedroom if you try to optimize your humidity levels there.
Turn Your Humidifier Off Every Once And A While
You don’t need it all the time.
And you should be (unless your humidifier does this automatically) tracking your humidity with a hygrometer.
Some the best humidifiers will turn off and on as needed, or just moderate themselves.
Cheaper ones will stay on all the time.
This brings me to my next point.
Watch Your Humidity Levels
Don’t leave your humidifier on if the humidity levels are 50% or more.
If it’s regularly 60% or higher, you might want to consider investing in a dehumidifier.
Levels that are consistently high could end up causing your smoke detector to go off in any case.
Dehumidifiers work by cooling the air and thereby reducing humidity levels.
Change Up From Your Ionized Smoke Alarm
Although more expensive, photoelectric smoke detectors are less likely to trigger false alarms.
They’re also better at detecting smouldering fires.
And (this is something I haven’t mentioned yet), don’t contain radioactive material.
(You heard that right.)
Ionized smoke detectors contain radioactive material.
And part of their decline in popularity is related to the difficulty of disposing of them.
You can also get alarms that incorporate elements of both the ionized and the photoelectric for a best of both worlds scenario.
Finally, Clean Your Smoke Detector Regularly
For two reasons:
One, you clean out condensed water that may be on it.
And two, it’s just good practice and helps prevent it from damage.
You should also ensure that you get it serviced on the regular.
Keeping You Safe
Smoke detectors are truly great devices.
And although they can be a nuisance, they have been a blessing.
In the States, the US National Fire Protection Association found that between 2009 and 2013:
There were more than half fewer deaths per fire in homes with a fire alarm than without.
(0.54 deaths per 100 fires vs. 1.18 deaths per 100 fires).
Just be careful not to leave your humidifier directly under your smoke alarm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my humidifier set off my smoke alarm?
Your humidifier can set off your smoke alarm. Older ionized smoke detectors are more likely to get set off. But even never photoelectric smoke detectors can set it off.
What are humidifiers good for?
Humidifiers help add moisture to the air and increase humidity levels. This is good for dealing with problems associated with dry air.
How does my smoke alarm work?
Your smoke alarm works by detecting smoke particles using a particular kind of technology. There are currently two different kinds of smoke detectors, ionized and photoelectric.
