Smoke Detectors

To understand how smoke detectors work you must realize that smoke is not just a cloud of gas, it is actually made of very small carbon particles suspended in the air.  Rather than detecting heat or flames like other detectors, smoke detectors can detect smoke even before it is visible to the human eye by detecting these small carbon particles.  For their early warning abilities, they are recommended for use in living areas instead of heat detectors.

There are two types of smoke detectors which use two different mechanisms to detect these particles.  The ionization type, which is the most widely used, employs a weak source of radiation to ionize the atoms of air in a special chamber.  When these particles are ionized, it results in a very weak electric current being produced in this chamber.  Carbon particles entering the chamber interfere with the ionized air particles causing a reduction in the amount of this weak electric current and the detector sounds an alarm.

The second type of smoke detector is a photo-electric detector which uses a projected beam of light in a special chamber.  When smoke particles enter the chamber, the beam of light is either blocked out or dimmed by the particles causing the alarm to activate.  This type detector is a little more expensive than the ionization type, but since it detects larger smoke particles, it can be used closer to kitchen areas without being accidentally setoff by normal cooking activities (unless you burn something on your range).

At least one smoke detector should be installed on every level of a home, and in every bedroom.  Detectors should be tested regularly to make sure that batteries are functioning and batteries changed at least once a year.

Battery-Operated Smoke Detectors Sound Local Alarm Only

The biggest problem with battery-operated smoke detectors is that they're only effective as long as someone is around to hear them. For example, what happens when you're at work, at the grocery store, on vacation? Who will be there to hear the smoke alarm and call the fire department? Or, let's say you're out for the evening, and you've left an elderly, disabled or hearing impaired loved one at home by themselves. Will they be capable of hearing or reacting to a sounding smoke alarm? Will your pets, your sick child or sleeping teenager be able to respond?

A Monitored Smoke Detector Calls For Help

Battery-operated and other local alarm smoke detectors are certainly better than no detector at all. But their capabilities are limited because they are not connected to a central monitoring station. The solution? A smoke detector that can be monitored and integrated into a new or existing home security system. Because these smoke detectors are incorporated into a system, you have the comfort of knowing the fire department will automatically be alerted should your smoke detector detect smoke or fire in your home.