Which environmental influences could effect a smoke detector's alarm?

Because the smoke alarm uses a photoelectric cell to measure the transparency of the surrounding air, high-density gases could cause the unit’s alarm to go off.

Significant concentrations of gases such as water vapour and steam from cooking, baking and grilling in the area surrounding the smoke alarm could set off an alarm to be on the safe side.

Construction dust, spray from painting, insect and air fresheners, hair and deodorant sprays, etc., that reach the smoke alarm could likewise set off an alarm and also contaminate the unit.

There have been rare cases where an alarm has been triggered by a strong draft or considerable fluctuations in temperature.