mum's the word on howto tweak smoke detector

mum's the word on howto tweak smoke detector
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Subject Author Date
mum's the word on howto tweak smoke detector Frank Winans 01-12-2007
Posted by Frank Winans on January 12, 2007, 2:49 am
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I'm a computer geek, and am about to discard
another cheap ionization smoke detector that
has gotten too sensitive to put up with. Cleaning
the little chamber didn't help much, though yes,
that often worked in years past, on other units
I've had.

Actually, I'm thinking of tweaking the sensitivity
with unauthorized do-it-yourself circuit mods.
I'll want to destroy the unit before I let it fall into
another's hands, but I'll accept the increased
risk of myself dying in a home fire that using
such a device entails. Maybe I'll disguise it as
an abstract sculpture or something, so nobody
else would ever come to rely on it to detect
smoke ;-)

But this brings up some issues;

a) how can I properly calibrate it, and later
retest it, using actual smoke? Like using a
measured amount of tobacco on a red-hot
heater, and ducting that into a known volume
trash bag or box... I've never seen this topic
discussed, and wonder if the old TEST button
is a credible witness of sensitivity, now that I
think about it...

b) If this works out, should I ever admit it to my
friends? We're all just a few degrees away
from the most monstrously inept/stupid/deranged
person one might ever envision, and I'd be
enabling that "friend of a friend of a friend" to
construct a passively hazardous device {or
large assemblage of same.}

c) And why doesn't there seem to be any prior
postings on this HOWto ? Do they get
censored by somebody eventually? Sure, it
may be <unwise> to discuss in a public forum,
from a strictly personal-legal-liability standpoint,
but that wouldn't normally prevent the topic arising,
judging from the blatantly unwise / illegal things
I see out on the internet already. {Porno sites,
prescription drugs offered by correspondance. Ech!}



Posted by Eyeball Kid on January 12, 2007, 7:28 am
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Quit using ionization detectors and stick with phot-electrics. They are
much more sensistive at detecting fire in the early stages.

Posted by Jen...tel on January 12, 2007, 3:29 pm
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I think it has something to due with the life expectancy of smoke
detectors. I read 10 years is max. But I really think it has more to
do with cost, they are not expensive so why save a few pennies over ten
years by reusing junk? Do you strain your engine oil to get another
20,000 miles out of it? Do you rip off and keep the unused areas of
the toilet paper so you can get all you can out of it? Do you rifle
through the dumpster looking for uneaten meat from restaurants? Do you
wash out the condems thinking that saves you money? Boy, some people
are just CHEAP!


Posted by Roland on January 12, 2007, 3:46 pm
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Thanks for the tips. There were a few there I hand not tried yet.
I could share my recipe for cockroach soufflé if you like. Although it
sounds French, which might put you off, it's as American as apple pie.
>I think it has something to due with the life expectancy of smoke
> detectors. I read 10 years is max. But I really think it has more to
> do with cost, they are not expensive so why save a few pennies over ten
> years by reusing junk? Do you strain your engine oil to get another
> 20,000 miles out of it? Do you rip off and keep the unused areas of
> the toilet paper so you can get all you can out of it? Do you rifle
> through the dumpster looking for uneaten meat from restaurants? Do you
> wash out the condems thinking that saves you money? Boy, some people
> are just CHEAP!
>



Posted by nick markowitz on January 12, 2007, 4:03 pm
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NFPA recomends replacing ionazation smokes after 10 years becuse of the high
failure rate found.
stick with phot electric better false resistance and better at picking up
slow smoldering fires.
the ionazation folks have lostmillions in judgements when
products failed to detect a fire.
> Thanks for the tips. There were a few there I hand not tried yet.
> I could share my recipe for cockroach soufflé if you like. Although it
> sounds French, which might put you off, it's as American as apple pie.
>>I think it has something to due with the life expectancy of smoke
>> detectors. I read 10 years is max. But I really think it has more to
>> do with cost, they are not expensive so why save a few pennies over ten
>> years by reusing junk? Do you strain your engine oil to get another
>> 20,000 miles out of it? Do you rip off and keep the unused areas of
>> the toilet paper so you can get all you can out of it? Do you rifle
>> through the dumpster looking for uneaten meat from restaurants? Do you
>> wash out the condems thinking that saves you money? Boy, some people
>> are just CHEAP!
>>
>
>



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