Types of Smoke Alarms

 

Types of Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms detect and alert people to fire in its early stages, giving them the time needed to escape safely. When working properly, smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Smoke alarms must be maintained properly and tested regularly to ensure their effectiveness.

 

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Types of Smoke Alarms

There is a difference between smoke alarms and smoke detectors:

A smoke alarm detects smoke and sounds the alarm from the smoke alarm.

A smoke detector is part of a fire alarm system that uses a separate fire alarm control unit. The detector senses the smoke and sends a signal to the control unit to sound the alarm. (These systems are often monitored by an off-site facility that can contact the fire department.)

There are two different types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric.

An ionization alarm is typically more responsive to a flaming fire, such as a pan fire.

A photoelectric alarm is typically more responsive to a smoldering fire, as might occur where a lighted cigarette is dropped on a sofa.

Combination alarms provide ionization and photoelectric detection. NFPA

recommends installing combination alarms, or both types of alarms, in the home. Whatever type of smoke alarms you choose, make sure they bear the mark of a recognized testing laboratory.

 

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Installation

Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that when one alarm sounds, they all do. A licensed electrician can do an interconnection by using hard-wired, multiple-station smoke alarms.

Wireless interconnection of smoke alarms is also available. A licensed electrician may be needed to replace existing hard-wired smoke alarms with those capable of wireless interconnection.

Whether smoke alarms are hard-wired or wireless, all interconnected smoke alarms must be compatible with one another, as specified by the manufacturer.

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Combination smoke alarms (ionization and photoelectric) currently do not have wireless connection capabilities.

Smoke alarms should be installed at least 3 metres from a cooking appliance.

Any smoke alarm between 3 to 6 metres of a stationary or fixed cooking appliance should be photoelectric, or must be equipped with a hush feature, which temporarily reduces the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time.

 

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