Smoke Detectors

A smoke detector is a device that detects smoke and causes an audible sound to alert residents of a possible fire. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

•          Nearly two-thirds of reported deaths are caused by home fires resulting from homes lacking working smoke detectors.
•          In 23% of fire deaths, smoke detectors were present but not functioning,  60% of these were deliberately disconnected or removed due to false alarms.
•          Each year in the US, about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. Most of these deaths are caused by smoke inhalation, rather than as a result of burns.

Types of Smoke Detectors

Ionization and photoelectric are the two main designs of smoke detectors. Both types must pass the same tests to be Listed or Approved but they perform differently in different types of fires. Detectors may be equipped with one or both types of sensors:

•          Ionization smoke detectors are the most common and economical. They house a chamber sided by small metal plates that irradiate the air so that it conducts electricity. When smoke enters the chamber, the current flow becomes interrupted, which triggers an alarm. These sensors quickly detect flaming-type fires but react slower to smoldering fires.
•         Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light-sensitive photocell to detect smoke. They shine a beam of light that will be reflected by smoke triggering the alarm. These sensors work best on smoldering fires but react slower to flaming fires.

Heat detectors do not detect smoke but are useful in certain situations where smoke detectors are likely to sound false alarms,  such as dirty, dusty environments or areas with cooking appliances.

Location

Smoke detectors should be installed in the following locations:

•          On ceiling or wall (min 6" from corners) outside each sleeping area;
•          In each bedroom, as most fires occur during sleeping hours;
•         On each floor including basements, but not crawlspaces or uninhabited attics.

Smoke detectors should not be installed in the following locations:

•         Near heating or air-conditioning vents;
•          Near kitchen appliances;
•          Near windows, ceiling fans or bathrooms equipped with a shower or tub;
•         in dead-air spots, such as the top of a peaked roof or a ceiling-to-wall corner.

Power and Interconnection

Smoke detectors may be hard-wired directly into the building's electrical system or battery powered. Hard-wired smoke detectors are more reliable because the power source cannot be removed or drained, although they will not function during a power outage. Battery-powered units often fail because the battery can be easily removed, dislodged or drained.   Smoke detectors can also be interconnected so that if one becomes triggered, they all sound off in unison.

In summary, smoke detectors are invaluable, life-saving appliances when they are installed properly and adequately maintained. 

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