Could a fart set off a domestic smoke alarm?
Discussion
Life Saab Itch said:
Realistically, no.
Most smoke detectors rely on low level alpha radiation being constantly detected across a known gap. Smoke can stop the expected amount of radiation being detected, hence the alarm goes off.
It is very unlikely that a fart (however disgusting) will be dense enough to set off a smoke alarm. It is a gas (unless it is filled with poo particles, in which case I would suggest that it is hard gas, not gas) smoke is made up of much larger particles than methane.
I suggest a scientific test.
If you blow on the sensor the alarm will go off, my theory is that the increased air pressure is enough to block the radiation. So if you fart directly onto the sensor it should go off, you're just blowing from a different hole after all.Most smoke detectors rely on low level alpha radiation being constantly detected across a known gap. Smoke can stop the expected amount of radiation being detected, hence the alarm goes off.
It is very unlikely that a fart (however disgusting) will be dense enough to set off a smoke alarm. It is a gas (unless it is filled with poo particles, in which case I would suggest that it is hard gas, not gas) smoke is made up of much larger particles than methane.
I suggest a scientific test.
EDLT said:
If you blow on the sensor the alarm will go off, my theory is that the increased air pressure is enough to block the radiation. So if you fart directly onto the sensor it should go off, you're just blowing from a different hole after all.
So are you going to climb a ladder and get your A-hole close to the smoke alarm? Don't forget to video record the event for posting on YouTube 
bigdog3 said:
EDLT said:
If you blow on the sensor the alarm will go off, my theory is that the increased air pressure is enough to block the radiation. So if you fart directly onto the sensor it should go off, you're just blowing from a different hole after all.
So are you going to climb a ladder and get your A-hole close to the smoke alarm? Don't forget to video record the event for posting on YouTube 
A friend, usually powered by pies & pasties and beer, let one rip next to a gas fire whilst at uni.. To his shock horror and our amusement he set off the gas fire (is it co2?) detector.
That earned him a few extra man points - but in all seriousness he does fart like a dieing cart horse.
That earned him a few extra man points - but in all seriousness he does fart like a dieing cart horse.
I was in the kitchen, the alarm was in the hall. It was the kind of trump you could cut with a knife.
It's too big a coincidence not to be though. I drop guts, 30 seconds later family keel over, and thirty seconds after that smoke alarm goes off and refuses to be placated. Had to pull battery in the end.
That smoke alarm never goes off, even with cooking...
It's too big a coincidence not to be though. I drop guts, 30 seconds later family keel over, and thirty seconds after that smoke alarm goes off and refuses to be placated. Had to pull battery in the end.
That smoke alarm never goes off, even with cooking...
Typically we use two types of smoke detector, Ionisation (for invisible or very hot smoke) and Optical (for visible or lower heat smouldering smoke) smoke detection for domestic dwellings.
The air freshener you used after your pungent fart could have set off either, depending on the proximity of the spray to the detector.
Unless you have a fire in your bowels?
The air freshener you used after your pungent fart could have set off either, depending on the proximity of the spray to the detector.
Unless you have a fire in your bowels?
Distant said:
I don't know but I think that's the best thread title I've ever seen.
Nah, I think that's reserved for this one: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...Life Saab Itch said:
It is very unlikely that a fart (however disgusting) will be dense enough to set off a smoke alarm. It is a gas (unless it is filled with poo particles, in which case I would suggest that it is hard gas, not gas) smoke is made up of much larger particles than methane.
I suggest a scientific test.
Surely clothing would filter out the poo particles? I suggest a scientific test.
Otherwise how are 'skidmarks' produced?...
Council Baby said:
Interesting debate. Now I'm sat here wondering if a fart could set off an industrial smoke alarm and hence a sprinkler system.
If its a pre action system the best you will do is sound the alarm and maybe start the pumps ( but you would have to get a detector from each zone to go off for the pumps).Then you will need to generate enough heat to burst a sprinkler bulb to get it to activate and emit water - I doubt if you set fire to yourself you would manage it, but if it involved your desk etc as well then you would have a better chance. 57c bulbs need a lot of heat accumulating around the bulb to make them burst!
Also typically only the sprinkler nearest you will activate as you wont have a deluge system in an office (unless you have some very very high fire loads in there)
Council Baby said:
Interesting debate. Now I'm sat here wondering if a fart could set off an industrial smoke alarm and hence a sprinkler system.
If its a pre action system the best you will do is sound the alarm and maybe start the pumps ( but you would have to get a detector from each zone to go off for the pumps).Then you will need to generate enough heat to burst a sprinkler bulb to get it to activate and emit water - I doubt if you set fire to yourself you would manage it, but if it involved your desk etc as well then you would have a better chance. 57c bulbs need a lot of heat accumulating around the bulb to make them burst!
Also typically only the sprinkler nearest you will activate as you wont have a deluge system in an office (unless you have some very very high fire loads in there)
jshell said:
Distant said:
I don't know but I think that's the best thread title I've ever seen.
Nah, I think that's reserved for this one: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...Hmmmm. Have to say as this is under "Gassing Station", my vote would have to go to this thread.
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