Gas Fire = Smoke Alarm

[machighlander]

crikey, i posted elsewhere regarding using my fire on gas settings, however, this afternoon i fired it up on gas to see how long it would take to add a comfortable heat in the caravan. after only about 4 minutes the smoke alarm started bleeping continuosly, i put off the fire and closed the gas feed valve straight away.

i had the setting up to number 9,so, i then put it back on and set it at 3. once again after a few minutes the alarm bleeped again. it is now swithced off and the gas isolated, looks like i will stick to using it on electric only.

anyone ever come across this, and any idea of the cause ?.

 

[gary]

First of all, the gas fire is 'room sealed' this means the products of combustion are prevented from entering the living space, if they are than something is very wrong.

This possibility of course will need checking by a competent person

The more likely reason though and accompanied by a strong smell, is dust and fluff having built up on top of the heat exchanger due to lack of use, now being burnt off when the heat exchanger gets hot,

 

[machighlander]

gary, cheers for that, makes sense what you say regarding the build up of dust and fluff being on the exchanger, there was also a distinct smell which thinking about it now will probably have been just that. i will take the cover off tomorrow ( did this before and they are so flimsy ) and clean all around the area.

thanks, have gave me a wee bit piece of mind for the moment.

 

[xtrailman]

i agree with gary, the same thing happens with my electric fan heater at home, normally only use it on 1kw, so if i ever want to use the 2kw setting i fist put the fire outside, otherwise the smoke alarms go off.

 

[Northwood]

There must be a hell of a lot of dust on the heat exchanger to trigger the fire alarm.

I would think it's more likely to be the fire alarm itself.

Do a quick test; leave the fire off, light a match well away from the smoke alarm, closing the gap until the alarm goes off.

Sometimes we have new alarms that are so sensitive we have to replace them.

When you run the fire next open the roof light to vent any gases shouldn't take long to burn off. Take Care mate.

 

[Guest]

There is also the possibility the heater has never been used. The heater will always give off a lot of fumes when used for the first times, until it burns itself in. Take off the front cover and check nothing is amiss. if fine, then switch it on, open the door and leave it be for a while to see if it changes. If not, then get it checked.

 

[forestgump]

is the smoke alarm in the area of the fire ,dose it pick up the smoke premeture.

 

[SBS]

As Gary says, it's most likely dust on the heater. I vacuum ours about every 6 months and remove the fan and clean it about every two years. The amount of dust and fluff on the fan blades is a lot more than you would expect. Easy to do on ours as the heater is below the wardrobe.

I also run all of the appliances on gas for 1/2 hour once a month or so, to ensure nesting bugs are removed. (Gary's recommendation).

Mike

 

[Suzac]

Not having a quick *** at the time were you?

 

[Northwood]

It wasn't highlanders fire alarm it was the house next door getting burgled.

 

[Sproket]

Just turned the steam on in mine, put the fridge on as well to burn anything off, 25c at the moment and its only on No6 fan on 4..... checked the gas bottle, its frosting nicely 2/3 used, it a calor light with the gauge on what showing empty, its only empty when it runs out....

Cant here no smoke alarm (

Do you think i ought to turn it up ??????