What defines a nuisance alarm?

A nuisance alarm is typically defined as a false alarm that is triggered due to issues within the smoke detector system itself, such as a malfunction or improper installation. When the system is either not functioning as intended or is incorrectly set up, it may create alarms that don't actually indicate the presence of smoke or fire. These types of alarms can lead to confusion and desensitization to alarms among occupants, which is why they are considered a nuisance.

In contrast, alarms activated by unidentifiable causes, those triggered by natural disasters, and alarms resulting from routine system testing do not fall under the definition of nuisance alarms as they may have valid reasons behind their activation. Understanding the significance of this distinction helps ensure that smoke detector systems remain reliable and effective in real emergency situations.