I have a heat alarm in my kitchen and I have been wondering how I can test the actual sensor of the alarm, the alarm has a test button but i understand this will only test the alarms circuits and sounder.

Is there a way I can test the actual sensing part of the alarm to make sure it is working?

Hold a hair dryer underneath it but don't use a heat gun instead of a hair dryer (unless you are very careful). Heat guns are liable to melt the plastic!

How can I test a smoke alarm?

I've struck a match under it but nothing?

Is a battery and hard wired model, all lights working correctly and sounds on test. But not with smoke?

Hi Paul

It depends whether your alarm is a heat, ionisation or optical alarm. A heat alarm would not react to a burning match at all (unless you get far too close to the sensor). Ionisation and optical will react with different delays, depending from the amount of smoke generated.

In general you should just rely on the test button. If you get a sound your alarm should be working correctly. If you are desperate to really test the response or your ionisation and optical smoke alarms you should buy a test spray.

Harry

As Harry said, if you really want to test a smoke alarm use the spray he suggests, a match does not create enough smoke to activate a smoke alarm, and burning anything is very dangerous and also smelly. If you do use the spray, do follow the instructions.