What could cause two separate fire alarm systems to go off concurrently ?

Madeline C
by Madeline C
The other night both our hard wired system to the security company and our battery operated system went off. The F.D. Came and there was no fire and no smoke. Incidentally, both kept going off for about 20 minutes. The alarm company kept calling us.....
  8 answers
  • Tammie W Tammie W on Mar 07, 2012
    did the battery operated trip the hardwire perhaps? sometimes if I bake in the oven too long say a roast or chicken (with opening and closing the oven more then I should) I think the heat drifts up the stairs and trips our battery operated ( occasionally) ...but it doesn't trip the hardwire alarm. Hmmm...thats a mystery. Has it happened before?
  • 3po3 3po3 on Mar 07, 2012
    Have you been remodeling? I have heard (yeah, I find it hard to believe, too, but I've heard) that paint fumes and remodeling dust can set off sensitive modern fire alarms.
  • Madeline C Madeline C on Mar 08, 2012
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. Actually Steve my husband had been shaking a laser toner to see if he could get more ink a couple of hours before. If that was it is still strange that both went off
  • 3po3 3po3 on Mar 08, 2012
    Did someone take a particularly steamy shower, or did humidity somehow spike right before the alarms went off?
  • Madeline C Madeline C on Mar 08, 2012
    No, the sensors aren't near the bathroom.
  • 3po3 3po3 on Mar 08, 2012
    Still, the steam could travel to the alarms. Sounds like maybe a freaky glitch. Clean out both alarms and make sure there is not dust or insects tripping them.
  • Madeline C Madeline C on Mar 08, 2012
    The firemen checked and cleaned the alarms upstairs. My husband is going to clean the ones downstairs. I was taking a shower on the main level at the time, but why this time and not others? Freaky glitch.....
  • Stuart M Stuart M on Mar 21, 2012
    They probably just had a build up of dust over time and when you took a shower it was just the final thing it took to cause a false alarm. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 8 to 10 years. Side note; use lithium 9volt batteries they have a life span of ten years, say good bye to the beeping at midnight warning you to change the battery. www.brightenelectric.net