Within the last year or so there were postings here about smoke alarms that had sounded for apparently no reason. Batteries were good etc. Somebody mentioned a smoke alarm in close proximity to a shower that had triggered and we mentioned our own experience a few years ago where a smoke alarm in the passageway outside bedrooms in my daughters house had sounded, for no apparent reason, on a warm/humid day.
Recently we finally had what are, for here (North Eastern tip of North America), a couple of much warmer and humid days. I mean around 78-80 F and sorta sticky! Now I know that's nothing to even mention, having just come back from the Middle East where it hit +43 Celsius or approximately 118 Fahrenheit! But around 80 is,-for here, warm; phew!!!!
I had front door screen open and other windows open letting the breeze blow through. Suddenly the smoke alarm mounted at the bottom of our basement stairs started sounding on a regular 30 second to one minute basis. But this was not how these smoke alarms normally sound if triggered by smoke. Two other both very ordinary battery models, on the main floor did not sound.
After a quick check to make sure a pan or kettle had not been left on and/or overheated on the stove etc. removed the smoke alarm from above the workshop door way in the basement and brought it up to main floor. Its been on the kitchen counter for week or so and has been quiet since! Battery tests good, as it should; only replaced a few months ago.
Supposition: Some of the seasonally warmer humid air coming in through front door had drifted down the stairwell, had cooled to the basement temperature probably around 60 degrees F and thereby acquired an apparently higher percentage of humidity.
This seems to confirm that some smoke alarms can be triggered by higher than normal humidity?
Thought I'd post this for information and/or possible discussion. Terry.