What should you look for when buying a smoke detector? There are several things to consider before buying a smoke detector. Smoke alarms come in two main types that detect different fire conditions. Photoelectric...
Smoke alarms come in two main types that detect different fire conditions. Photoelectric smoke detectors respond best to fires that are smoldering and produce lots of smoke. Ionization smoke detectors are best at sensing rapidly burning fires with large flames. When selecting smoke detectors it is important to consider what types of fires are you most likely to have in your home. If anyone in your home is a heavy sleeper or does not hear well, you may want to look for an alarm with a very harsh or loud sound. You may want to see if you can find an alarm with a backup power source to increase your protection level. Lithium batteries last up to ten years, so selecting a model with this power source may give you more peace of mind and less maintenance cost over time.
Heather Caldwell is the communications manger for Kidde, the world's largest manufacturer of fire safety products. Caldwell states, "You should make sure that the smoke alarm carries the UL tested mark. The UL is the mark of the Underwriters Laboratory, which is an independent third party testing laboratory. The UL mark signifies that smoke alarms have been tested and passed a nationally recognized standard. This is the first thing you want to look for." You want to be sure the product you are using has been found to be safe and effective to use.
Caldwell points out, "Ionization alarms are designed specifically to detect the flaming fire conditions. The fires that can flame up very quickly, such as a paper fires, oil fires, or grease fires, can be detected best by this type of smoke detector." Ionization smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material used to detect small smoke particles in the area that may seem invisible. When the particles of smoke enter the detector, the smoke particles in the air attach to the ions and disrupt the electrical path within the detector. This will cause the alarm to sound.
Caldwell adds, "Photoelectric alarms are designed specifically to detect smoldering fires and smoke conditions. These are fires that may have been started by a cigarette ash dropped on a sofa or bedding. Those fires often kill people sleeping. For instance, someone may be smoking in his or her bedroom. He or she may think they put out the cigarette, but didn't and then fall asleep. These ashes of the cigarette can start a fire. For maximum protection, we recommend installing alarms with both types of technology throughout the home. We sell both types of smoke alarms, and we also sell a dual center alarm. So, families can customize their fire safety design in their home by using all three of those types of smoke alarms."
Photoelectric and ionization detectors are good smoke sensors and both must past strict UL testing to be certified. Steam, humidity, and condensation will hamper the effectiveness of both types of these smoke detectors. It is difficult to say which is the best smoke detector to own, so many sources recommend using each type somewhere in the home or selecting a unit that works in both ways.
Reflective beam smoke detectors are designed to protect areas where it is typically more challenging to install and maintain smoke detectors. Rooms with vaulted or high ceilings are where these devices are recommended. Wireless remote smoke detectors have transmitters and receivers in each unit and work in unison. They are able to signal their alarms simultaneously in an emergency. If any of the units sense smoke or a fire, then all the alarms in the system will be triggered.
