What Is A Smoke Detector?

Smoke alarms or smoke detectors have saved thousands of lives. Smoke detectors are your first line of security against fire and can reduce the hazard of dying in a home fire. Even though they can be a nuisance when you burn toast, inexpensive household smoke detectors can mean that every member of your family gets out of a burning house alive. Prevention and deterrence should always be a front line method of avoiding home accidents.

What they are?

A smoke detector is basically an electrical circuit that gets interrupted by particles. A fire sends miniscule particles into the air, when these tiny particles reach the smoke detector they interfere with the electrical circuit and alert a microchip. A smoke alarm's microchip is programmed to send a signal to set off the alarm.

Where to Install?
• Install smoke alarms near bedrooms - high on a wall or ceiling.
• Don't install them near air vents.
• Replace detectors that are more than 10 years old.
• For the best fire protection install both an ionization smoke detectors. One is for fast burning flames and another one for smoldering fires.
Types of Smoke Detectors:

There are plenty of options available for you to select the best smoke detectors for your home. They are Battery Operated Smoke Detectors, 120V AC Hardwire Smoke Detectors, Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors, Ionization/Photoelectric Smoke Detectors, Smoke Detectors with Relays, Heat Detectors, Photoelectric Smoke Alarms, Strobe Light Modules-For Hearing Impaired and Wireless Smoke Alarm.

What suits as best?

Ionization smoke detectors respond first to fast flaming fires. Whereas, Photo electronic smoke alarms respond first to slow smoldering fires. Photo electronic models are best suited for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. This is because, these rooms often contain large pieces of furniture, such as sofas, chairs, mattresses, counter tops, etc. which will burn slowly and create more smoldering smoke than flames. These alarms are also less prone to nuisance alarms in the kitchen area than ionization smoke alarms.