Smoke Alarm

[Jonathan Goad]

Any one ever had the smoke alarm activate while inspecting a brand new gas fired forced air furnace. Please keep in mind that the odor from burning dust on the coils and heat exchange was present. No smoke was observed. Odor was not unusually strong. Alarm sounded like a standard fire alarm.

Do you think this could have been related to elevated CO levels? I was unable to determine if alarm even had CO detection capability.

House was built in 2009.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Jonathan Goad

[Scott Patterson]

Most likely it was the construction dust burning off the burners and the heat exchanger. I have had this happen before with new construction.

Did the alarms remain on?
Did the home also have CO detectors?

I would have let the system cool down, reset the alarms and tried it again.

[Jonathan Goad]

Thanks Scott. How do you tell if a smoke alarm is rated for CO also?

The only one i have ever seen is the Night Hawk branded alarms for CO and Fire.

[Scott Patterson]

Thanks Scott. How do you tell if a smoke alarm is rated for CO also?

The only one i have ever seen is the Night Hawk branded alarms for CO and Fire.

I guess it would say so on the detector, I really do not know. The CO detectors I have seen have it printed on their case that they are a CO detector.

Chances are good that if CO detectors are not required in your area then it is just a normal smoke detector/alarm.

[Vern Heiler]

[quote=Jonathan Goad;100990] How do you tell if a smoke alarm is rated for CO also?
quote]

All of the smoke/CO detectors I have tested gave two different alarms when tested. One for the smoke and one for the CO.