Monoxide 2 - Campfire Stories

[@regularcasanova7137]

"Remember that time I got monoxide poisoning?" Who the hell starts a conversation like that? I just sat down!

[@DumbChaoticPhoque]

Apparently Zach

[@regularcasanova7137]

Damn you got me there.​@@DumbChaoticPhoque

[@theimperiumofman102]

Zach does not know how to start a conversation normally.

[@dark2023-1lovesoni]

Same, almost died to CO poisoning. Arguably LSD saved my life here since this was back in college. My fiance and I started a trip around 12 or 1pm after the landlord's handyman finished repairing our heater. I noticed a strong smell of gas outside but assumed it was probably just the substance making things seem more pronounced than they actually were. Same for the fact that my fiance seemed rather flushed red. Well, around 6 pm, we felt tired and were getting ready for bed (which should've been a massive red flag since acid lasts 8+ hours and usually causes insomnia for up to another 4+ hours afterwards, but we'd been gassed for 5-6h by that point). Around that time, we started hearing a beeping noise. Investigated and found a painted over CO detector. My first thought was to just remove the batteries, but my fiance convinced me to call my firefighter uncle first. He told me to call 911 immediately and exit the house. When the firetrucks arrived, the firemen cracked open our front door and stuck a little testing device inside. After checking it, they fully suited up (to enter the house for minutes that I'd spent hours in). They cut the gas line, opened every window, and turned on the attic fan. My fiance believed that without the mild stimulant effects of the acid, she wouldn't have been awake enough or thoughtful enough to have recognized the danger and to have pushed me to act in a safe manner. It was wild, though.

[@theenigma7290]

You're clearly new here lol

[@Calories_To_Calibers]

Nothing better than waking up to another "Zach almost died" story.

[@DumbChaoticPhoque]

Yup

[@Skaven_Trans_Girl]

It's surprising just how many of these there are.

[@DrZilla337]

Zach's wife be like

[@CErra310]

The almost is the good part

[@Kuria_zhaints]

one of very many 😂

[@omegamon0239]

"-hold a match up to them-" "They have a test button"

[@apyr1439]

I'd rather test the whole system in something as close as a real situation as posible, rather than use a test button that might not test the entire system (disclaimer: I have no clue how a smoke detector or its test button works)

[@forceawakens4449]

​@@apyr1439the test button in smoke detectors is real, it simulates the same conditions that would cause it to go off normally. For modern ones the test dims a laser that hits a reciever, mimicing the dimming that smoke would cause

[@Kikrafis]

Depending on how the system is wired that button may not test the entire system, the only real issue with the suggestion is that it can call fire department which costs a lot if they are sent on false alarms

[@jimmyrustler8983]

​@@forceawakens4449I have a bunch of old Americium based ones in a box somewhere that work on a similar principle. Pretty cool.

[@Eric-vs2he]

Zach's guardian angel is working overtime

[@filmandfirearms]

Zach's guardian angel has been working overtime every day since slacking off while he was at Fort Polk

[@blackvial]

​@@filmandfirearms after that chewing out they received after Zack's Humvee ride I wouldn't doubt it

[@Arkantrol]

I know where that PFP is from...

[@filmandfirearms]

@@blackvial Or just letting him end up in Fort Polk in the first place

[@yashimaru7107]

The best pfp 🙏

[@Toxic_Korgi]

Zach: *Pushes for you to replace your smoke detectors every few years for safety* Also Zach: *Has multiple grenades just lying on a shelf in his house*

[@ahandgrenade3640]

Zach: they're inert!

[@adenkyramud5005]

To be fair, inert grenades are completely harmless. So nothing to worry about there, although i would have loved to see the Look on the firemen's faces when they saw that shelf 😂😂😂

[@rogerreger9631]

Home defense.

[@captain-commander8138]

​@@adenkyramud5005 same to be a fly on the wall for that.

[@hazardousmaterial5492]

​@@adenkyramud5005pretty sure that an inert grenade would still do some damage if you threw it into someone's face, so you can't say that they're completely harmless

[@HiroSnowLeopard]

Because of the original story, at my work it's a small gastation and our soda machine co2 line busted and started leaking and the alarm went off. Because of your story I immediately thought of how dangerous it could be and called the fire department

[@adenkyramud5005]

Good! Quick reactions save lives.

[@LexYeen]

Excellent reaction!

[@soupcangaming662]

You thought with your brain *and* your feet.

[@TheSecretman82]

6:30 Don't be embarrassed to call your local FD if you have Fire/CO Alarms going off that won't stop. Because it means SOMETHING is wrong, and you need the professionals to figure out what and assist. We'd rather get called to figure out why it's going off, then get a different call later because someone called in a wellness check and you're lying dead in your home because you had to solve it yourself instead of call for help.

[@TheSecretman82]

7:05 Aaaaaaand, I wish I had finished watching before I left this comment, because you LITERALLY already covered this. Oops.

[@TheSimmr001]

@@TheSecretman82 its worth repeating.

[@stephweasenforth7891]

My dad was a volunteer firefighter for 25 years. He said his favorite nonemergency calls were the little frail old ladies who needed help changing smoke alarm batteries. They were always so polite and just gravitated to his kind and gentle side.

[@jacobf6945]

Had a friend who recently was dealing with suspected CO poisoning (Doc thought it was the apartment) but none of her roommates were effected, except for one who rode in her car. (Fact was important later, as the car had a slight exhaust leak) had the FD over, no CO in the apartment.

[@TheSecretman82]

@ Nope. Because it was in the car.

[@Mustard_Face]

Dad advice: Change your smoke detectors when you move into a new place and write the date of install on them. When you change your furnace filter write the date of install on them and replace them every 3 months. Buy extra light bulbs for your fixtures, even if you’re good right now. GET A STEPLADDER and don’t use a chair/stool. No, don’t use a box, or a toolbox, and for the love of God get off the countertops.

[@WingMaster562]

Also a log book (physical or electronic) for each thing you install. Also there are emailer services that can email you in the future, sorta a reminder.

[@Soggz4]

Upset Uncle advice: When your folks ask of you want something for cheap (like a stepladder!) take it. Don't borrow one from your siblings and then pretend it's yours.

[@itspice8737]

Thank you sir

[@DanteTorn]

Thank you dadfriend.

[@oniemployee3437]

Thanks, dad.

[@The_Cranky_Painter]

Older smoke detectors used Thorium, because it contained isotopes (americium-241) that would react to smoke and carbon monoxide. Today they use electronic elements that do the same thing, however even these do decay. Metal elements can corrode due to humidity in the air over time.

[@ParoXyzmm]

The radioactive isotope didn't "react" with the smoke. Basically, there was a sensor that detected the decay radiation from the source, and if it got blocked by something (smoke for example), it would go off. Modern ones do basically the same thing with an electronic system rather than detecting radioactive decay. They emit a type of light, which another part detects, and if it *stops* detecting said light, it goes off. (Correction for below, half life is probably not the *main* limiting factor, but still a limiting factor) For older detectors the half life of the radioactive isotope was the main limiting factor for lifespan, but with modern ones, it's usually either the actual detector, or the light emitter that fails. But they are designed to fail in a way that causes them to go off, rather than failing in a way that prevents them from going off.

[@moonasha]

americium is still widely used in the US. In the US there are those smoke detectors, as well as photoelectric (electronic) ones. They both detect different types of fires better than the other, which is why one is not recommended over the other. Though it's generally agreed that for a residence, a photoelectric one is the safer option. But you'll see a lot of publications recommend you have both. A lot of them now come with a lifetime 10 year battery that you can't replace

[@soupcangaming662]

@@moonasha "lifetime" "10 year battery"

[@soupcangaming662]

@@ParoXyzmm Maybe the light sensor/emitter could be blocked by debris.

[@ParoXyzmm]

@@soupcangaming662 If it is, the alarm goes off. It's always preferable to have a false alarm than no alarm, so they're usually made so they will almost always "Fail on", basically if they break, they detect things that aren't fires rather than not detecting fires. Of course they can still Fail off, but the risk is minimal compared to other sorts of failures.

[@AKguru762]

Iv been a residential electrician for 20 years. Very few people whose homes I work in know about smoke detectors lifespans. Iv seen 25+ year old cigarette smoke encrusted detectors in older homes. You are correct that the smoke detectors have a radioactive element. That elements half life is why they go bad. The radioactivity is so weak that it can be stopped by paper, human skin, and smoke. The smoke detector is actually a radiation sensor next to the radioactive material. When the smoke blocks between the two, this is what causes the alarm to go off. When the radioactive material is over ten years old, it’s not strong enough for the sensor to detect. Smoke alarms should be inside and outside of each bedroom. Carbon monoxide detectors are installed outside of the bedroom and at lease one per floor. If you have a wood burning or gas stove and/or furnace, this is extremely important. When I was young, I remember the fire department would run advertisements to “change your smoke detector batteries every time you change the clocks!” This is when most everyone had battery only smoke detectors. Wire-in smoke detectors become standard in the late 1990’s. As an electrician, I would highly recommend. if your house has wired- in smoke detectors, They are the safest to use. The communication wire that allows the smoke detectors to “talk” together is extremely important. They are not just for 50 room houses. They are for when doors are closed, the TV is on, children are playing, or you may be sleeping. The use of lithium 9v batteries will give any cheaper smoke detector the ability to never change the battery til it needs replacement. You don’t need to buy the top of the line. Try to find a bulk contractor pack to save some money. Iv seen 6 packs for $30. If you rent, and your landlord won’t replay them or maybe you just can’t afford it. Please contact your local fire department and let them know your situation. They will be happy to help you out. Stay safe everyone.

[@ParoXyzmm]

Most newer detectors use what is basically a beam break sensor (In Australia at least), but afaik it's not visible light (Not far IR though, probably N-IR). If smoke breaks the beam, it goes off.

[@soupcangaming662]

@@ParoXyzmm Honestly, I feel like that could just be blocked by debris and dust floating around. This seems like something that would have been widely used 40+ years ago as well as with radioisotope ones. I know you're recommended to get both, but it still seems iffy

[@ParoXyzmm]

@@soupcangaming662 To be fair, older Isotope detectors are also affected by dust. Because that is literally what they are meant to detect; They detect the soot particles in smoke, which is how they go off. The newer Optical sensors are better in some regards, and worse in others. Generally you would want to have combo detectors that have both, but they are expensive enough that your average person can't justify the cost compared to a normal Optical one. Remember, you want false alarms, not no alarms. So it being sensitive to dust is well worth it in my books.

[@joshuachristensen9731]

​@soupcangaming662 electrician in denmark here. Yes, Dustin can cause false alarms in optical smoke detector systems, but that is considered a feature, and not a bug. Radio-isotope detectors are vulnerable to dust too, and when installed in large buildings (factories, schools, apartment buildings etc) both systems can cause problems. Usually though, optical sensors will have multiple sensors internally, and requires multiple detections before they go off, where that option just isnt available for a lot of radiation-based detectors. This helps prevent false alarms, as if only one of the sensors is tripped (say by dust) but the 2 others aren't, it will start chirping the same as a low battery warning, so it can be cleaned. They aren't perfect, I've seen them go off by accident, but they are better than burning to death

[@chrisb5005]

@@ParoXyzmmI have smoke alarms that have gone off maybe 50-60 times in the four years I’ve been in this house. There’s never been a fire. I feel they may be a little overtuned.

[@TheSecretman82]

5:23 Chicago's Tornado Siren sounds like that because some Genius decided to modulate the Wail with a Hi-Lo tone. Which makes the most HAUNTING Tornado Siren I've ever heard. I hate it.

[@SynchronizorVideos]

Yeah, but it gets your attention, and would never be confused with police/ambulance/fire truck sirens.

[@Kaarl_Mills]

@@SynchronizorVideos but neither would a regular tornado siren

[@Kaarl_Mills]

I dont think they're scary, because to me they just sound like they're broken. Then again, because I live in Texas, regular tornado sirens don't sound scary to me. You hear one, and my brain just goes "Yep, time to go into the bathroom" with the same casualness as leaving the couch to go get another beer.

[@Takenmynameandmycat]

I mean, I was introduced to it via Siren Head. It made for a great ring tone, it will wake you up cold out of a dead sleep so that you can go to the work callback that will turn out to be something that could have waited.

[@ArxCyberwolfPC]

It's a genuine signal programmed on the controller called Alternate Wail. It's been a feature on Federal Signal's electronic sirens since the 1980s.

[@heedneed-arcade5977]

My roommate and I woke up at 2 in the morning to our fire alarms going off. We spent hours of the night running around trying to fix it, batteries, holding down the button, and he was about to cut the wires before I said “screw it I’ll call the fire department” turns out the things were over 10 years old and had begun daisy chaining around the house.

[@ONiX_YouTube]

I had a similar thing happen at my sister's house a few years ago. I was there watching her dogs, sitting on the couch, and suddenly the smoke detectors all around the house started going off, I don't see or smell any smoke. I go into the room where the first smoke detector is going off, and I keep repeatedly press the button trying to get it to stop beeping, while I'm on the phone with my sister telling her what's happening. Later we found out that the smoke detectors were really old, this was in 2020, these smoke detectors dated back to I think 2004. The previous home owners just never bothered to replace the smoke detectors.

[@commandercody2980]

​@@ONiX_KZbin good lord, those smoke detectors were older than I am

[@ragnarrocksoft9096]

Every time Zach mentiones his wife I smile. Really glad that this man, who has brought so much enjoyment to my (and many many others') life, is happy

[@ai-spacedestructor]

i know it was 99% a joke but there are actually both "10 hours of smoke alarm beep" and "10 hours of smoke alarm chirp" in case you want to pick and choose your favorite smoke alarm noise. Some of the results are those rude videos of silence or pleasent sounds every now and then interrupted by something you absolutely dont want to hear.

[@mschrage618]

As a volunteer firefighter I appreciate that this turned into a safety lecture, I agree with Zach’s position. There are also grant programs that will provide smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to low income households, your local fire department will usually even come out and install them for you

[@perhaps_a_pikmin]

Funny fire alarm story for me to share: A fire alarm in the second floor of my house kept on beeping (The sound it'd make when the battery's run out). But these are the ones which are wired into the electrical system similar to the one's Zach mentions in the video. But the sound only occurred precisely 2am in the morning which was really irritating since that's when I start to drift off into my sleep. After 2 weeks of ignoring it I finally had enough and decided to rip the entire fire alarm out of the ceiling. So I throw the fire alarm in the bin outside I only to hear the same sound again from inside the house, in the same area. Confused I ended up looking around again only to find an old fire alarm inside a drawer on the second floor. In short: I quite literally destroyed a fully functional fire alarm, mistaking it for it being broken. Only for the true culprit hiding in a drawer nearby. 😂

[@cogbait]

Successfully managed to deceive you into destroying its replacement

[@whimsicalwyvern3073]

Monoxide 2, Electric Boogaloo

[@adenkyramud5005]

Monoxide 2, carbon boogaloo

[@izperehoda]

dioxide 😮

[@948320z]

Monoxide was so good they made Monoxide 2.

[@meekrob29]

Looks like Zach learned to Be Cool About Fire Safety. Hopefully he won't hear from Seymour Smoke again.

[@stephweasenforth7891]

Sparky and Smokey are undoubtedly proud of him.

[@Warrickomega]

I imagine Zach hearing Canada's EAS flash sound would drive him absolutely bonkers.

[@Canadian_Ale]

As a Canadian. I can confirm

[@Warrickomega]

@@Canadian_Ale It's especially bad when it triggers early in the morning from an Amber Alert. I begrudge neither the need to activate it for such or the need for it to be obnoxious sounding though. It's just something to deal with.

[@Kaarl_Mills]

eh I didnt think its that bad

[@LiveByTheNumbers]

It’s extra fun when you’re in a grocery store or something because everyone’s phones get the signal at slightly different times because of different mobile networks and where those networks consider ‘home’ to be. I live very close to the border of another province so I get ones relating to things going on in that separate province. Anyway, it goes in like waves , close enough together that it’s the same alert but it takes three or four rounds to get to everyone.

[@Warrickomega]

@@LiveByTheNumbers Or a gaming store when you're setting up to play a miniatures wargame XD

[@thesunflowerseedenthusiast2481]

It's sad that yall are really making smoke detectors a race thing . The people I was staying with were white btw, just short. Yall need to go outside and find something to do besides saying the same 3 jokes over and over again for years. . Please just have an original thought for once. Or use a traffic cone as a suppository. Either/or 😙

[@Svabre]

Which is incredibly dangerous, btw.

[@based980]

all colored individuals btw

[@DEATHBYFIRE09]

Ah yes, the ghetto cricket.

[@S0RGEx]

I dealt with my smoke detector beeping like that for about a week because I was just too lazy to go get new batteries during a work day, and I thought I was gonna go insane. Don't understand how some people just live with it.

[@based980]

@@DEATHBYFIRE09 oo oo aa aa

[@Metronex82]

fun story, roughly 2 years ago, i got a REALLY strong smell of smoke in my home, like you couldn't pass it off. I quickly checked all my outlets to make sure nothing caught fire. nothing, the fire dept came out and couldn't find anything and looked at me like i was crazy. me and 3 other people swore that it smelt like something went up in flames.

[@Tang-qi6zw]

For smoke detectors, I think the fire station gives some away for free if you need them and can’t afford them. Doesn’t hurt to call and ask, if I’m wrong. Then most people rent, so that’s the landlord who has to take care of that. If you’re worried, you can call and ask the landlord, but it’s likely you’ve gotten a sign on your door about the maintenance stuff like replacing HVAC filters or smoke alarms already, so they just go in your apartment.

[@stephweasenforth7891]

I’m not sure about other countries, but Kidde and a few other large companies partner with American fire companies to provide free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Chances are good that all you have to do is call your local fire department and ask if they can come do a check and they’ll show up and provide maintenance, replacement, and installs free of charge. They’ll also gladly walk you through the process of installing batteries and setting everything up

[@doc9473]

As a firefighter and an EMT, you absolutely did the right thing by calling the fire department. You're absolutely right, that's why you pay taxes. Would truly rather have a "nothing" call over finding corpses.

[@Jasonwolf1495]

My dad taught me a pretty great trick for remembering to check and change the smoke detectors. You check them on your birthday because living another year is the best gift.

[@sauceman2885]

When I smell smoke I make this noise

[@LHC47]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@MattD529]

"We've been trying to reach you concerning your car's extended warranty."

[@Mustard_Face]

If I had a nickel for every time Zach almost died from carbon monoxide, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it’s happened twice

[@zarlsalamandersspacemarine302]

I love that Phineas and Ferb Stole that idiom

[@suntiger745]

It's just one nickel so far though. :)

[@DankRedditMemes]

"Smoke Alarm Sound Effect 10 Hours" and "Ten hours of silence occasionally broken by smoke alarm chirp" does indeed exist

[@tommy_t684]

Carbon Monoxide 2: Electric Boogaloo

[@SymbioteMullet]

Zach does not screw around with his PSAs.

[@SymbioteMullet]

If I remember correctly, smoke alarms have a small chunk of something radioactive, and a tiny gap between that and a sensor - smoke particles are big enough to fill the gap, and the alarm sounds when it _doesn't_ detect radioactivity. (The assumption being that the smoke has blocked it) So when the radioactive chunk has decayed enough that it's not emitting anymore, it stands to reason, as Zach said, that the detector wouldn't work anymore.

[@adenkyramud5005]

​@@SymbioteMulletthose are the old ones. The modern ones are all electronics, no more radiation needed. Still gonna die after 8-10 years since the electronics will still slowly start to break. High humidity is especially bad of course because electronics corrode when exposed to moisture.

[@SymbioteMullet]

@@adenkyramud5005 thanks, I wasn't aware of that! Totally true about electronics, time and humidity!

[@spenkerdetanker9067]

this thing about the smoke detector noise being like upsetting is very relatable. It's also one of my "my autism will kill you for this" sounds together with people speaking not quite loud but also loud enough that I can only hear the bass of their voice go through the walls and a door that's not properly closed knocking on the door frame.

[@a.grimes4202]

I’m pretty sure most people know who Gilbert Gottfried was. Dude had his own website where you could get a personalized video greeting from him for yourself or others, was on the _Life of Black Tiger (PS4)_ episode of AVGN as Fred Fucks, voiced the AFLAC Duck, had appearances on the 1998-2005 version of _Hollywood Squares_ (including the famous *“YOU **_FOOL!_”_*_ episode), and he voiced a horse Peter had in the _Family Guy_ episode “Boys Do Cry”, as well as a voice whistle in a different episode of the show called “Big Trouble in Little Quahog”, not to mention roles on _The Fairly OddParents_ , _The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy_ , the films _Beverly Hills Cop II_ and _Problem Child II_ . He even made appearances on _The Tonight Show with Jay Leno_ . The point being, I’m sure many people will get the reference. Gilbert was everywhere and did way more than I could list just from memory alone.

[@AbysmalSeasoning]

He was the bird from Cyber Chase

[@depressedTrent]

This is honestly the first time I hear his name...

[@lornbaker1083]

His last role that he ever played was god in smiling friends. Quite a touching way for such an incredibly talented and well.Rounded man to finally end His career.

[@ebinecksdee9872]

I love how Zach was trying to be the voice of reason about replacing smoke detectors and Mike was just like "eh, you could only replace one if you really want."

[@utes5532]

"I HATE smoke, so whenever I see it or smell it, I make this noise to warn you: *unholy screeching*"

[@flynnhunter416]

Now we need the Hentai Incident 2

[@Kaarl_Mills]

with his Lebel 1886 body pillow (The bold action has censor bars over it)

[@RyuTheAsian47]

Zach, from what I've watched from a fire dept channel on youtube, a good bit of firefighters are chill enough that a false alarm made without malice will genuinely not annoy them. There's nothing to be embarrassed over it. They'd rather find out you were just being cautious instead of on the brink of death and refusing to do anything about it

[@Homeminboss]

11:07 holy crap I actually get that reference. The "dont be a fool about fire safety" or whatever it was

[@anakin50137]

Had something similar happen to me. I live full time in a travel trailer (not recommend it if you can avoid it) because they use propane for heating and cooking they come with CO/Propane alarms. Well it turns out they don't come with alarms when the grey or black tanks get full, and while the black (toilet) tank is sealed the one for the sink isn't and if you'll remember from your biology class decaying matter (like food waste from washing dishes) can create methane. Apparently because methane is a hydrocarbon like propane it'll set off the alarm just the same and make you think you have a propane leak at the start of winter. It took a couple hours of troubleshooting before I realized what happened

[@13lbaseball]

When I moved into my apartment, within two months the 2-in-1 detector (Smoke/CO) started chirping at 330AM, not smelling smoke but possibly gas, I immediately started venting the apartment. The next day maintenance replaced the old one but I bought 2 standalone battery powered CO detectors just to be safe. That shit is so scary yo, I've nearly died from it and would gladly pay $100 to stay alive

[@chaos_bringers8462]

I fuckin love you guys, you have been part of my christmas tradition for 4 years now. Keep doing what your doing.

[@chaos_bringers8462]

I also see merit to what mike says if you replace one at a time every few years, never keeping one for over 8-10 years to spread out the expense over several years.

[@rayfeltz8477]

I’ve spent years and hundreds of dollars amassing a pit of old smoke detectors. The ionizing glow can be seen across the street at night and at 5 feet it can cure some cancers, or give new ones. I’m not done yet. The pit hungers.

[@aSipOfHemlocktea]

4:31 misophonia is a common trait of autism, what you are describing is overstimulation caused by the sound, I get what you mean you aren't just normal upset it's an overwhelming upset that you can't control I also get it

[@ParoXyzmm]

Yeah that was my first thought lmao. Smoke alarms make me genuinely upset because they are so high pitched and ear piercing loud to the point of giving me tinnitus for a little bit after. I have to spend like 30 mins to an hour calming myself down after one goes off.

[@johnathanhautz2223]

I’m the same way with whistling.

[@Twist-The-Friendly-Hunter]

I've never had carbon monoxide issues. I DID almost blow up my house and several nearby houses due to me not knowing how a gas oven works and thinking not lighting it means the gas isn't coming out. Smoke/monoxide alarms... We have 2 alarms in certain areas of the house. One for smoke, other for monoxide... Before this we had 1, and one day when my dad was sick it went off and my mom pushed the button and it didn't stop. So the 4 dogs are going bonkers and the alarm won't go off, so my mom shouts one of us to help. *My dad got out of bed, Walked downstairs in his boxers, grabbed the alarm, ripped it off the ceiling and went outside to *LAUNCH THE THING INTO THE SMALL WOODED AREA BEHIND THE GARDEN* The doppler effect as it was launched was hilarious and all we heard was. Beep beep beep beep SMASH. bzzzzzzzt bzzzzzzzt bzzt bzt and then nothing. My dad went back to bed and told my mom to get new alarms. Some guy came and installed the new ones that haven't malfunctioned at all... Asked where the other one was as he needed to note it all down, and we pointed to the wooden area and we lifted the fence so he could look and whatdaya know... The debris was still there and he noted it down and casually said he could still hear something. My dad opened the shed, grabbed a sledgehammer and smashed it more. This is why I love my dad. He was a joiner for most of his life, can build or fix nearly anything anything and can have a laugh. If something is broke he will make sure it CAN work before scrapping it. DAD'S TOP TIPS If someone is getting rid of old chimney pots, you can use them for garden decoration or plant pots. The domed top ones can be painted to look like mushrooms.

[@nine_lives5597]

Americium-241 is in most ionization smoke detectors. It emits less radiation than the average background radiation. Smoke alarms have an expiration date simply because electronics deteriorate pretty fast in ambient humidity and can corrode, or they can simply become too dusty inside the ionization chamber and its just impossible to clean it in there or keep it dust free.

[@grimreefer9324]

Monoxide 2?? Uhhh YEAH, i exhale that every DAY

[@MM-sx7zs]

Lets hope this doesn't become a chronic issue for Zach.

[@denverarnold6210]

Like concussions!

[@xaviersaavedra7442]

pause! 3:50 Zach finally married his gf! but he prolly married her a while ago. i haven't been keeping up. But still congrats!

[@aperson336]

4:55 yes it is a thing, when my little brother was around 2, he would listen to them NON STOP. Needless to say it was not pleasant, surprisingly there is quite the sizable fire alarm community on you tube

[@darkone9206]

Smoke alarms get easily set off by a dust build up too which is rip, you end up worrying for a lil while only to clean them a lil and they all work fine :)

[@stephweasenforth7891]

Yep. Can of compressed air and a gentle cloth, then things are right as rain for a while.

[@runngameentertainment]

Most of the time when I learn something from a mikeburnfire video it's like "oh thats interesting"Today I learned, "oh shit I need to replace my smoke alarm it's wayyy to old" so thank you Zach, you may have saved my life. Sincerely Zack

[@YakiAttaki]

I did not think I'd hear anyone other than myself referencing Zardoz in the year 2024 but here we are. Thanks Zach.

[@DrZilla337]

Zach's "I hate painting" at 12:01 has too much venom in it for there not to be a story to fuel it

[@megazetabetaful]

I mean he's not wrong though. I had to go over one room with paint, after sanding it, do this that and the other, painting it, 6 times, because the walls were that old, they just sucked up that pain like a sponge. It is the worst.

[@CRTeeny]

damn, never been so early to a vid, just got home, sat down, checked my favourite 'tubers. and lo' behold a new campfire story literally posted 30 seconds ago! precisely what i needed at the end of a long day :D oh, and for posterity... Sixth

[@skylermcdaniel6259]

Hey, this is actually my job! Older smokes use a radioactive isotope to beam ions, and when that beam is interrupted by the smoke, it causes it to go off. Today, it's similar, but its now an ir Lazer, and they are called optical smokes. Each type of detector has a different way of detection nowadays, too.

[@CameronCombustion]

The way they work is smoke detectors have Americium (a radioactive element) it puts off alpha particles which a detector counts an average, alpha particles can be blocked by smoke, so when the number drops it sets off an alarm. So if it gets old it is putting a lower average that can go below the threshold for the alarm. You could have set off the monoxide by breathing on it

[@CameronCombustion]

Autism, im glad you mentioned the chicago siren. I heard it in a short forever ago, and honestly im obsessed with the melody

[@harrisonlichtenberg3162]

Should have called this one "Monoxide 2: Die-Oxide"

[@Raygeing]

I've just checked mine in my new built house and they all have labels on for when to change em. Thanks Zach for helping learn something about my house!

[@jonaspen]

1:20 it's okay zach i and most likely many of us have autism too, we understand

[@fretzil]

Smoke alarms are deliberately annoying, doesnt make someone who doesnt like them autistic

[@MDMDMDMDMDMDMDMDMD]

10:15 If you call your local fire department and tell them that you need, but can not afford, a smoke detector, they will give you one

[@XDRosenheim]

But if you can not afford a smoke detector, you can not afford anything. Those things cheaper than dirt. (Which is also why they gladly give them out for free)

[@MrRed_2205]

You guys are killing it with these videos lately, loving the content!

[@timspeller4084]

Thanks Zarboz

[@RazeSlayer]

Reading the title: Uh oh, here we go again.

[@PobortzaPl]

Me: 2? What do they mean by carbon monoxide two? How could it happen again??

[@derekdrake8706]

Chicago's tornado alarm inspired an entire horror mythos lol.

[@johngellare3507]

5:23 The reason it's like that is because it's really hard to shut that sound out, and also to distinguish it from emergency vehicles. Even if it's super faint, for some reason, it's almost impossible to ignore.

[@thehellhound8582]

Pretty sure the "Test" button only tests the alarm, as in just the noise. If a smoke alarm goes busted it's nearly always the sensor, which you don't test with the "test" button.

[@OrificeHorus]

The return of the beep

[@Roguish_nerd]

Hey, fire alarm technician here! Your smoke detectors went beyond the life cycle. The manufacture date is what you go by. The ionization detectors are the kind that use radioactive materials, and get carbon monoxide alarms.

[@Cactar8]

The word you are looking for is Misophonia 4:27

[@walnzell9328]

Combination smoke-carbon monoxide alarm manufacturers, please keep in mind that 99% of the time your detectors go off, it's going to be false alarms. PLEASE have different warnings for fire and carbon monoxide. Do not just have one alarm that says "fire!" People will think it's malfunctioning. Also make sure that when they do have different alarms for the two, the right alarm sounds off! This was a malfunction caused by the age of the detectors. But just keep this in mind.

[@Obsiqax]

I'm an electrician and in the UK we commonly use three types of alarm in a household, not counting monoxide, ionising is what Zach mentioned, but there's also optical and heat, optical detects infrared, and heat is self explanatory and goes in places like kitchens where smoke is expected to be present. The reason for replacement is usually simply because of dust accumulation and electrical corrosion, which is more common in wireless models. Hard-wired ones speak to each other with an additional wire called an interconnect. We call that cable "three-core and earth" over here.

[@kevinoh8667]

hey mike and zach, after listening to this video i promptly went and bought new smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. turns out that my house had alarms that were little over 20 YEARS old. thanks for the PSA and keeping my house and family safe lol.

[@bedlams9594]

We need carbon monoxide flavored ice cream

[@Canadian_Ale]

I feel like it would taste what TV static might taste like

[@wiz1904]

@@Canadian_Alethat’s McDonald’s sprite

[@Gaminnewfie]

I remember Seymore Smoke! (The Gilbert Gottfried character on 90's T.V.)

[@Legacyartist]

I was beginning to think I was the only one who got the reference.

[@connorl0204]

Campfire stories is the only reason im subbed, ngl. I’m not personally a fan of most gameplay videos, but i love the stories

[@DanteTorn]

Zach continues to embody the platonic ideal of "adorable autistic man" that I strive for.

[@Desmozedicie]

I saw this on my feed when I was looking for something to accompany me drawing because I like the old stories so much so i thought of listen to it again. I wasnt paying attention on it so im so surprised when zach said "it happened again" lol

[@serjiandragonrain4036]

Zach: "Only YOU can prevent monoxide poisoning and house fires!" Also Zach: "Bet you I can launch this grenade into that window!"

[@ryanhenderson3095]

Small story: I was watching you guys play Resident Evil Village on my TV, it was like 2am you guys were doing the Benavitto mansion getting chased by the fetus monster (I was very tense) and out of nowhere all the smoke detectors went off in the house, say “fire, fire”. I jumped out of my skin, paused the video and scrambled all over the house, there was no fire and after 2 minutes they stopped. My heart was pounding, I’m still scared that there’s a fire I can’t see, after 10mins I relax and sit down and continue watching the video (gets to the hide and seek part with the doll) and they just started going off again (scaring me a second time) bolt all over the house and nothing, they turn off again after like a minute. Just something I found relatable.

[@Mj2468lollol]

0:33 mine do >:(

[@SproutFarms]

The better reason to regularly replace smoke detectors: Insurance will use it as an excuse to not pay.

[@CrossTheOwl]

Couple of tips as a professional alarm system installer. If you are putting a smoke alarm in a bedroom; place it above the door to the room approx 3 feet from the threshold. Ideally, you want it in the hallway or room outside, so it goes off before the smoke can get to your room. Smoke goes up because its hot. Put one at the highest point in the house if possible. For example, my living room has a peaked roof. I have a smoke detector about 1 foot from the peak on the flat of the wall closest to my bedroom. Stay safe.

[@Mrkabrat]

On the topic of "firefighters are already paid for"; In ancient rome they weren't a publicly funded thing, but rather some guy would have their own fire fighting group and would charge you for it. That's how Crassus got filthy rich, since he'd basically haggle with the owner of the burning house to get the house sold to him as it burned down

[@eduandeklerk]

Monoxide 2 boogaloo.

[@PATTON425]

Some important notes, most manufacturers recommend weekly testing of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Most of the hard wired detectors in residential building are still fully powered by the batteries, the wires are only for communication. Change your batteries twice a year. You should test your detectors when you change the batteries at a minimum. If the detector won't start or stop while testing, it is defective and needs to be replaced. You get what you pay for, try to avoid the cheapest ones. Many manufacturers will take detectors back if they are defective within a certain amount of time, varies by manufacturer.

[@Cru128]

To answer Zach’s curiosity about what caused the random beeping, it wasn’t the radioisotope used in the smoke detector. Smoke detectors, both industrial and household make use of Americium-241. The half-life of Americium-241 is 433 years. It was likely just the electronics degrading over the span of 10 years.

[@equilibrius5468]

Oh God not again!

[@b3ttykr0ck3r7]

Absolutely got the Gilbert Gottfried reference, you just unlocked a core memory.

[@ipodman371]

Fun fact, if you want to unfix an led you can drill it out (if you can power it down/unplug the device then please do that before drilling). They run on such a low voltage that even if it shorts out its not a problem. I've done this to several PC fans, various handheld electronics/button/controllers (like power strips or the rocker switches for lamps)

[@GrimOrc]

Where I live in Europe we have a big harbour and they used the old bombing incoming siren from WW2 as a giant fire alarm system. So every week Monday 6pm they test the sirens to check if they are still working. I never had to fear an air raid or something like this but hearing they sound and knowing what it once was gives me an uneasy feeling in the stomach every fricking time.

[@Joshn8er]

A channel called Technology Connections has a video on smoke and CO detectors. Cool stuff, a good channel for the ADHD.

[@Reshiram543]

Old smoke detectors did use a radioactive element. It was Americium-241. Newer ones tend to use a more refined photosensitive sensor to detect smoke and carbon monoxide a lot more efficiently

[@ValskisGaming]

Fun fact about Chicago: First Tuesday of every month every town in the Chicagoland area run their sirens to test them. It’s like a symphony of sirens.

[@rampagedalpaca4362]

"The sound of a fire alarm going off is really upsetting to me" That's the entire point.

[@carlsoto1747]

Zach is the person I picture when engineering/designing safety controls and shutdown systems at work

[@LongWolf1987]

Jeez not only entertaining but educational too....awesome.

[@Biodeamon]

one of the greatest tragedies of emergency services is the people who need it are too embarrassed to call for it and end up dying, and the people who don't need it call all the time

[@c6q3a24]

Smoke detectors work on radioactive decay. There is a tiny radioactive element, and a tiny detector - smoke blocks the mechanism, and the alarm goes off. But radioactive stuff eventually wears out, and becomes a lot less radioactive. That's why they eventually wear out. So you have to get a new one - that is more radioactive.

[@hornhunter7]

Some modern smoke detectors still use a small amount of radioactive material called Americium-241 which has a half life of about 10 years. These are ionizing alarms. There are photoelectic alarms that dont use any radioactive material, though they still only last 10 years due to the electrical components corroding making it malfunction.

[@armadyleanarchon4754]

I love how the one time I'm here early for a video. It's a story about alarms going off. Like it predicted my presence 😂

[@MisterHalt]

Roughly eight to ten years after our house was built, my smoke alarms started malfunctioning in an odd way. For some reason, occasionally when we turned on a light the detectors would either emit a single obnoxiously loud beep, guaranteed to scare you even if you're expecting it, or on rarer occasions it'd make the alarms fully activate for a few seconds. Changing the batteries didn't help, and eventually we got an electrician out to see what was going on. THANKFULLY the alarm managed to randomly malfunction when the sparky flipped a switch and they traced the issue to some bad wiring (and old detectors). On another occasion, an empty house nearby had its smoke alarms start going off for like a day or two straight. Even my goddamn sleep was affected by it, to the point that I dreamed about going to the cops to try and get the issue sorted out. Felt sorry for my neighbour whose bedroom backed on to the house in question, who had recently had brain surgery. The next day some of the locals were out on the street chatting about the noise and I joined them. After a bit of talk I decided we'd all had enough and walked over to the power box for that house and flipped off the mains switch. Noise stopped, everybody was happy. Replace your detectors every 8-10 years.

[@LavenderSystem69]

Modern smoke detectors are roughly split between ionization chamber alarms (uses a small sample of Americium-141), and laser refraction detectors (uses a laser beam that will bounce off the smoke and strike a ln optical sensor)