Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors
Smoke detector; crew rest; master caution EICAS activated on climb out. The Relief Pilot (RP) obtained a fire extinguisher and opened crew rest door. An acrid odor was present but no smoke was visible.  The EICAS message and crew rest smoke detector cautions went away soon after the door was opened.  The RP investigated LAV; Galley; upper cargo deck (no freight; ferry flight) and EE (electronics) compartment. No smoke was present. On further investigation RP found a small piece of black tape covering the smoke detector green light in the lower bunk. It was beginning to melt.  With the EICAS message and caution gone and with zero payload we elected to continue to our destination.  This event could easily be avoided if someone would have not covered the green light with the electrical tape.
Smoke detector; crew rest; master caution + EICAS activated on climb out. The Relief Pilot (RP) obtained a fire extinguisher and opened crew rest door. An acrid odor was present but no smoke was visible.  The EICAS message and crew rest smoke detector cautions went away soon after the door was opened.  The RP investigated LAV; Galley; upper cargo deck (no freight; ferry flight) and EE (electronics) compartment. No smoke was present. On further investigation RP found a small piece of black tape covering the smoke detector green light in the lower bunk. It was beginning to melt.  With the EICAS message and caution gone and with zero payload we elected to continue to our destination.  It's possible the heat from the covered smoke detector green light melted the tape causing smell and setting off the Master Caution and smoke detector.  I speculate that the tape was placed upon the light by a crew member; on a previous flight to prevent smoke detector light from shining in their eyes while sleeping?
Air carrier flight crew reported smoke detector activation during initial climb. The cause was attributed to melting tape placed over crew rest smoke detector light.