September 5th, 2005when does the fire alarm go off?
I think my toaster is broken. Kaput. Finished. I put a piece of bread in there, along with an egg dish (it’s a toaster oven) and then I jumped in the shower. The egg dish had already cooked most of the way through, so I tossed some jalapenos and cheese on top and left it in the oven. (So the cheese would melt as the bread toasted.. come on, don’t get bogged down with the details, stay with me here.)
The toaster did not turn off! WTF! So as I am toweling off I think, hmm, something is.. burning? Yes, the bread/toast was now a smoking charcoal lump, and the smoke was billowing from the edges of the toaster. In my good sense (read: stupid), I opened the toaster to drag out the offending slice and lo and behold, the smoking got worse. Now I am frantically running about the apartment, opening windows and checking the ceiling fans, hoping to god that the fire alarm doesn’t go off.
It didn’t.
Now I am concerned. At which point will a fire alarm actually go off? The damn thing was maybe ten feet from the toaster and it just sat there, doing nothing. This all happened 20 minutes ago—there is still a thin haze in my apartment and the damn thing still hasn’t gone off.
Is it broken? Has it died? Is this normal? Anyone?!
Oh now you’re just waiting for the firemen to come swooping to your rescue…? Do NOT forget to take pictures, you hear?
I have no idea about the fire alarm, but my guess is it’s a mixture of temperature and smoke that sets it off. You wouldn’t want it to start beep-beeping when you’re having a party and everyone’s smoking? Or else it’s just a matter of settings. Or maybe it’s broken. Now there’s your excuse to call the firemen.
Comment by Anne — September 5, 2005 @ 11:27 am
It’s crazy, but those were my thoughts exactly. 🙂 (Firemen and the temp/smoke thing)
If and when, pictures will definitely be on this blog… but I sincerely hope that it’s just a battery thing.
Comment by the insider — September 5, 2005 @ 11:32 am
…probably the battery, but all the same I’m very interested in the idea of those firemen… definitely don’t forget the pictures! 😉
Comment by Kerry — September 5, 2005 @ 12:46 pm
LOL. We all really do love the firemen, don’t we? 🙂
Comment by the insider — September 5, 2005 @ 12:52 pm
Mmmmm… firemen!
But I would be concerned about the lack of smoke alarmage! Perhaps you should try changing the battery. You know though, I once got very tired of having a smoke alarm that once went off every single time I cooked something. V annoying!
Comment by ms. mac — September 5, 2005 @ 2:24 pm
I have never heard of a smoke detector that operator on smoke and heat. Sprinkler systems, yes, not smoke detectors. Make sure that there is even a battery in there. We used to take the batteries out of the ones in the kitchen because they would be set off by little things, like cooking bacon.
Comment by Grampa — September 5, 2005 @ 2:37 pm
Batteries, yes I believe that is now the consensus. Stupid fire alarm.
So what, double A? And when I take it down, it won’t go off, right? (Don’t tell me if these are stupid questions.. I’ve never touched one of these things in my life.)
Comment by the insider — September 5, 2005 @ 2:41 pm
In my experience hey take 9 volt batteries. No, it will not go off if you take it down. Unless you put a battery in it. There should be a little button somewhere on it which allows you to test the alarm, but I am not sure if if this is the case or not.
The top portion (which faces the floor) will detach but the bottom portion of the alarm (ceiling) is probably bolted to the ceiling. The battery goes in the middle. (This is only my experience. MInd you, I’m an old fuck).
Anyway, if it is too difficult (you don’t have a ladder, you can’t get it apart, whatever) it is your landlord’s responsibility to make sure that the fire alarms (and extinguishers, for that matter) are in working order. Call him, make him earn his exorbitant rent.
Comment by Grampa — September 5, 2005 @ 2:55 pm
Oh yeah, a guide. That’s what I needed people. 🙂
And my landlord is fabulous.. he would absolutely come fix it, but I think I can handle this now.
I can always just leave it alone until my dad comes, though. 🙂
Comment by the insider — September 5, 2005 @ 3:08 pm
Good, I’m going to make some coffee now. My job is done here.
Comment by Grampa — September 5, 2005 @ 3:13 pm
LOL. Feel like you’ve accomplished something day then, hmm?
Comment by the insider — September 5, 2005 @ 3:17 pm
ok…just what “if” there is another smoke attack from either the heat from a fireman or toaster…put a damn battery in it! Your dad doesn’t come until NEXT month.
Comment by AW — September 5, 2005 @ 4:58 pm
First of all.. rotfl. The heat from a fireman? Ahem, well then.
Comment by the insider — September 5, 2005 @ 5:00 pm
ok. 9volt batteruy. is there even one in there? secondly there is a test button… so if there is a battery in it… or once you but one in… press the test button… it should sound the alarm… if not then it is not functioning or the battery you put in is junk… you can test the 9v by putting your tongue in between the two prongs… if you get a little jolt it is good. I however, knowing you well enough , am aware that you will not do the tongue test. Thirdly, and the most importan of all… do not call firemen to come to your house for that faulty detector scam… they will not be thrilled at all!
Comment by Ghetto Gurrl — September 5, 2005 @ 10:15 pm
Honey.. just come fix it for me. There’s no way in hell that thing is touching my mouth, and really I just don’t wanna. 🙂
And I would never call them! I was saying, if it went off, would they come? Not on purpose. 😛
Comment by the insider — September 5, 2005 @ 10:20 pm
I’m thinking it’s the battery.
If nothing else, when the firemen show up, you’ll be ready for them (yanno, naked and wet)….so I say go with the flow!
Comment by Shannon — September 6, 2005 @ 9:59 am
ROTFL. No, no, no.. but cute.
Probably is the battery though. LOL
Comment by the insider — September 6, 2005 @ 10:06 am
This is why the insider needs a man. (Or a brother)
And for the record, changing a nine volt battery is much simpler than picking out laundry detergent. (You should be impressed that I even found the isle)
Comment by The Guest — September 6, 2005 @ 10:31 am
😛 Yes, sad, but so true.
I am so impressed that you shopped by yourself! Even though you were on the phone with me.. 😛 😉
Comment by the insider — September 6, 2005 @ 10:34 am