It set it off, Why?

[Cloud_Chaser]

Hey guys/gals long time no see. So I came home tonight after drinking quite a bit, and for some reason something popped into my head. " What would happen if I exhale my vapor into a smoke detector? " Well long story short, I would like some of you science geeks to explain to me why the exhaled vapor set the smoke detector off. I tried this on 3 different smoke detectors with the same result.

 

[John_]

Hey guys/gals long time no see. So I came home tonight after drinking quite a bit, and for some reason something popped into my head. " What would happen if I exhale my vapor into a smoke detector? " Well long story short, I would like some of you science geeks to explain to me why the exhaled vapor set the smoke detector off. I tried this on 3 different smoke detectors with the same result.

Smoke detectors "detect smoke" by the visibility/consistency in air. Anything that blocks it (vapor, smoke, etc...) will set one off.

 

[Izan]

Hey guys/gals long time no see. So I came home tonight after drinking quite a bit, and for some reason something popped into my head. " What would happen if I exhale my vapor into a smoke detector? " Well long story short, I would like some of you science geeks to explain to me why the exhaled vapor set the smoke detector off. I tried this on 3 different smoke detectors with the same result.

Google is Friend,

"The two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke detection and photoelectric smoke detection.

Ionization smoke detection is generally more responsive to flaming fires.
How they work: Ionization-type smoke alarms have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm.

Photoelectric smoke detection is generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering (called “smoldering fires”).
How they work: Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm."


Be safe
I

 

[Cloud_Chaser]

Google is Friend,

"The two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke detection and photoelectric smoke detection.

Ionization smoke detection is generally more responsive to flaming fires.
How they work: Ionization-type smoke alarms have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm.

Photoelectric smoke detection is generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering (called “smoldering fires”).
How they work: Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm."


Be safe
I

Vapor is not smoke. But from what you linked, it shares the same characteristics?

 

[CassiusCloud]

Here is a good article that explains a couple of different detectors and how they sense..

HowStuffWorks "How Smoke Detectors Work"

 

[Fizzpop]

Vapor is not smoke. But from what you linked, it shares the same characteristics?

Smoke detectors (by the methods posted above) detect particulate matter in the air. That particulate matter could be smoke, dust, or even vapor or steam. Basically, if you can see it in the air, it can set off a smoke detector.

 

[FallenRawToast]

basically it uses a little light/led/laser, shoots it at a mirror, which bounces it to a receptor. If the receptor cant detect enough of the light/laser/led, the alarm goes off. Vapor mist would block and defract enough of this, to cause the smoke alarm to go off.

 

[Izan]

Vapor is not smoke. But from what you linked, it shares the same characteristics?

This video explains it perfectly...(IMHO, it is super cool how they work)

Cheers
I

 

[Cloud_Chaser]

Like I said above, I have been drinking. But he said that the smoke "sticks" to the molecules between the sensor, which sets it off. Why does vape have the same affect?

 

[CassiusCloud]

Like I said above, I have been drinking. But he said that the smoke "sticks" to the molecules between the sensor, which sets it off. Why does vape have the same affect?

Because of similar types of particles in vape doing the same thing and disrupting the electrical current, causing the alarm to set off..

 

[TheJakeBailey]

Particulate matter is the key word in everything above. Any small particles floating around in the air will all have the same effect. So will my girlfriends chicken, but that's another story for another time.

 

[Rickajho]

Vapor is not smoke. But from what you linked, it shares the same characteristics?

For the purposes of how a smoke detector functions - yes. If vapor is dense enough that is can block the sensor it will set off the smoke detector. After all, how many things floating around at ceiling height are going to do that? The things aren't designed to be that picky about matters like "Oh, that density of 'stuff' blocking my sensor must be smoke, but that density of stuff isn't."

Badly designed (over sensitive) smoke detectors will even react to the water vapor created from a hot shower or boiling a pot of water for pasta.

 

[Bontasia]

I used to live in an apartment with a smoke detector right outside the bathroom and in the winter I would take a shower with the door closed and let the water run super hot to get the bathroom warm so I wouldn't freeze when I got out and if I opened the door too soon the alarm would go off.

 

[Bunnykiller]

I had a cockatoo many years ago and the dust produced by the bird would set off the detector.... for about 3 months the apartment complex maintainence people couldnt figure out why the detectors were being so wacky... finally moved the birds cage from under the detector....

 

[mare ze dotes]

I used to live in an apartment with a smoke detector right outside the bathroom and in the winter I would take a shower with the door closed and let the water run super hot to get the bathroom warm so I wouldn't freeze when I got out and if I opened the door too soon the alarm would go off.

Yes, what she said. Same here with the shower setting off the detector.

 

[crxess]

Like I said above, I have been drinking. But he said that the smoke "sticks" to the molecules between the sensor, which sets it off. Why does Vape have the same affect?

Actually he said one type senses this way.

You are Assuming your detector is this type.

There are many designs and more come to market every year.

It could also be an indicator that your Alarm needs a fresh battery.

 

[Brend]

My detectors go off when just boiling a pot of water on my stove(electric - not gas - no flame).

They go off when my husband turns a burner up to 8 & 9 (10 being highest setting for our stove top) even with
no pot or pan of food on the burner so no food is burning, no water is boiling...Just an open electric burner on high.

There is also 15 feet between our stove & nearest detector.

They will go off on those horribly humid days in the summer too.

I just consider them hyper sensitive Reassuring but a bit of a bother. We run around the house, every floor &
basement sniffing the air for a burning, smoke smell just to be safe.

 

[GPC2012]

smoke detectors detect absence of oxygen

 

[Fizzpop]

smoke detectors detect absence of oxygen

No, no they don't. Did you even read the thread?