Smoke detectors are actually small but very powerful devices that can save your life. When a fire starts smoke can spread quickly often before you see flames. A detector can warn you early, giving you and your loved ones time to escape and call for help. But did you know there are different types of smoke detectors? Choosing the right one can make your home or building much safer.
Why are smoke detectors so important?
Fires can start anywhere anytime day or night whether it’s a forum cooking accident or a short circuit fire spreads fast. Smoke detectors can alert you even when you are asleep and cause injuries and deaths. That’s why every home school office or factory should have working smoke detectors in the right place.
Different types of smoke detectors
Ionization smoke detectors generally include two metal plates and a small amount of radioactive material. They create a small electric current. When the smoke enters the chamber it breaks the current and sets off the alarm. It’s perfect for fast burning fires in kitchens and hallways. They are really quick to detect the flaming fires cheaper than other types and are more likely to cause false alarms from cooking smoke or steam.
Photoelectric smoke detectors have a light beam inside. And smoke detectors enter the chamber and scatters the light. The sensor detects this and sounds the alarm. It’s perfect for smoldering fires in bedrooms and living rooms and it’s better at detecting slow burning smoky fires. There are fewer false alarms and kitchens. It is slightly more expensive compared to ionization types.
Also Read – Smoke Detectors – Installation and Maintenance
Dual sensor smoke detectors combine ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors. They provide full protection for different types of files. They are perfect for your entire home or office or if you want the safest option you must go for this one. It detects fast and slow fires and provides more reliable coverage. But you must know this is really expensive.
Smart bonus detectors to Wi-Fi or your phone. They still use either photoelectric dual sensor technology but they also send alerts to your smartphone. They’re perfect if you’re a tech savvy user or you have a vacation home without people all the time. It sends alerts even when you are not home. Some models speak to you and tell you the room where smoke is detected. But it needs Wi-Fi and sometimes even app setup.
Where to place the detectors?
Bedrooms always have a smoke detector inside or just outside. In your living rooms you can install one near common areas. In your kitchen you can use a heat detector photoelectric model to avoid false alarms. In your hallway and stairs it is essential for alerting people on different floors. Avoid placing them right above stoves or ovens near windows fans or vents.
Maintenance steps
Smoke detectors need to work 24/7 so you need to test them at least once a month by pressing the test button. Change batteries every six to 12 months unless sealed for 10 years. Then you have to replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Clean them with vacuum or soft clothes to remove dust. If you hear chirping it means the battery is low or the unit needs replacing.
So above all you need to know that the smoke detectors save lives. But not all fires are the same and not all the detectors work the same way. The right combination of ionization heat and smart detectors will keep your home or building much safer. Fires can spread quickly but with the right detector in the right place you will have the times you need to act.
Also Read – Different Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses
