What Smoke Detector Better Suits Your Home?
Choose the Right Smoke Detector If you are like many people, you probably didn’t know that there are different kinds smoke detectors, which means you would probably go to the hardware store and get the first one that you see. Every year, home fires injure or kill many people. This happens because the smoke detector either failed or homeowners installed the wrong type. Knowing more about different smoke and fire alarms, and which kind best fits your home, will greatly increase your chances of survival if a fire starts. Where Can I Get a Smoke Detector? Smoke detectors can be purchased at any hardware, home supply or general merchandise store located near you. Some fire departments offer smoke alarms at little or no cost. Get High-End Fire Protection! Where Should Smoke Detectors be Located? Every home should have smoke detectors and they should be placed on every level of the home including the basement. The detectors should be placed outside every sleeping area and the bed should be no more than twenty feet from the alarm. If there is people in the home that sleep with the door closed, then a smoke alarm should be installed both inside and outside of that room. Two Different Kinds of Smoke Detectors Most people don’t know about the different kinds of smoke detectors. However, each one serves a different purpose. Knowing the difference can save lives. A photoelectric smoke detector uses ultraviolet light, a special receiver, and a lens. All these parts sit inside a vented chamber, so air can flow through it. If smoke is present, it will move into this chamber. An LED light also sends a beam of light across the chamber. A separate part inside has a photosensor that detects this light. As smoke enters, it breaks the light beam. This makes the light scatter towards the sensor, which then makes the alarm sound. Photoelectric smoke alarms respond very quickly to fires. Some Stats The National Fire Protection Association says photoelectric smoke alarms are great. They warn you well about different kinds of fires. This gives you more time to leave your home when a fire starts. An ionization smoke detector has a tiny bit of americium-241. This sits inside a special chamber. It creates an electric current between two metal plates, which then sounds the alarm. This happens because these metal parts connect to a battery. The americium-241 changes air molecules into positive and negative parts. When smoke enters the alarm, these parts stick to the smoke, and that makes the alarm go off. Ionization smoke alarms usually react faster to active fires. This kind of alarm can find even a small amount of smoke. For instance, if food on your stove catches fire, the alarm will detect it. That’s why you often find this type of fire alarm in kitchens. However, this alarm might not sound fast enough for you to get out quickly. The Fire Alarm Verdict – SPS Fire & Security Can Help Now that you know about both types of smoke alarms, you should get photoelectric smoke alarms for your home. Photoelectric alarms respond faster and warn you to get out quicker during a fire than ionization alarms. Also, remember your security system has a fire alarm built in. This is another way to keep your family safe. If you don’t have a security system with fire and carbon monoxide detection, contact SPS at 585-770-0348. Ask us how we can make you and your home safer.