Why does a smoke alarm go off from steam?

Mostly great answers so far.

Little history on smoke alarms: They used to contain a tiny amount of Americum (nuclear material pronounced "AM - MER - REE - CEE - UM") that would ionize smoke particles. Water vapor (steam) can not be ionized. That ionization was then read by a sensor. If the level was high enough it would trip the smoke alarm.

Today they don't use nuclear materials in them anymore. People freaked out when they learned they had radiation in their homes (which was significantly lower than background radiation that naturally occurs). And away went those older style alarms. Instead, they use an optical sensor and an LED. When the air is clear all the light from the emitter would fall on the sensor and all would be well. But when dust builds up on the sensor, water vapor can fool the sensor into thinking there's smoke. That's the biggest reason why they suggest replacing smoke detectors every so often. I think they say every five years, but I'm not sure on that.

Anyway, if you're concerned about safety, smoke alarms are not expensive and easily replaced. In fact, this conversation makes me realize it's probably time to replace mine. I have a Carbon Monoxide Smoke detector in the furnace room and a smoke detector in the family room where the fireplace is and one in the hallway by the bedrooms. If ANY of them detect a problem they ALL go off. That way if something happens down stairs I know about it right away.

I don't think you are in any serious danger, but I do think that you will get more false alarms than not. If you can live with that then don't worry about it. But likely the problem will get worse over the next few years..

Ava g'day mate.

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Just an old retired dog who knows a few tricks.

Smoke Detector Steam

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It has to do with how they work. There are two types of smoke alarms: the ionization type and the photoelectric type. In the ionization detectors, a small amount of radioactive material creates ions which conducts a small current between two plates. Smoke particles (or water droplets) attract the ions, breaking the circuit and triggering the alarm. In the photoelectric detectors, a light beam is sent to a detector. Smoke (or steam) blocks the light and triggers the alarm. Sufficient steam will trigger either type of detector, but the consensus seems to be that the photoelectric type are less sensitive to steam. So, if you have an ionizing smoke detector, you can try replacing it with a photoelectric smoke detector. Or, you can relocate your detector further away from your stove/shower.

Some smoke alarms go off from steam because it memics smoke. Some cheaper alarms just can't tell the difference. I also noticed that some others go off when the temperature is to high so that it thinks its a fire. I hope this helps and would suggest turning the bathroom exhaust on if you have one or just moving the smoke alarm away from the bathroom door.

I lived in a house where the smoke alarm was in the hallway by my bathroom. When the door was open and I was taking a shower the smoke alarm went off, needless to say I panicked lol. The first answer you got was the one I got when I asked that question to my friends

Well, smoke alarms go off when something blocks it's sensor, such as smoke, steam, dust, etc.

My advice would be to NOT take the batteries out, but possible move it slightly further away so it is not directly above where you are cooking.

The answer Tony has given you is the nearest to being your answer. It would appear you have an Optical device that recognises steam as being smoke by illuminating the "dark chamber" within the detector. You will find that the cheaper detectors on the market are of a different type, known as ionisation detectors, and as tony says, need particles produced by something burning, The trouble with this type is that they activate when toasting bread.

The best solution is to re-position the detector away from known sources that activate them unwantedly e.g. away from the kitchen or bathroom door (kitchens should have heat detectors not smoke).

1

Abbie i just don't know,the ones we have are built in,so no battery's,and one night,it went off just out side are bedroom door,i did not hear a thing,my son had been Smoking,my wife told me the next day,lol,when im gone im gone,lol,asleep i mean,so take care my sweet Irish friend.

Heat, I believe. Some fires, like electrical ones, emit little or no smoke, so a heat sensor is also necessary to be effective.