What Kind of Smoke Alarm Should I Install?

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

If your home should become damaged by fire, contact SERVPRO of Gordon, Murray and South Whitfield Counties. We are your local restoration company.

Fire safety is critical for homeowners. Your home is so full of important things that neglecting fire safety can be tantamount to failing to protect your loved ones, not to mention all the memories and memorabilia you’ve worked so hard to make and acquire.

That’s why smoke detectors are recommended (and in some cases, mandated) for every home, or even every bedroom.

But did you know there are two main types of traditional smoke detectors? It’s true, and each type focuses on a different indicator before it sends an alert.

So what are they, and which should you choose for your home?

Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

Photoelectric alarms use light to detect fire threats. They have an LED light inside, which shoots a light beam into a light-sensing chamber. When the beam is interrupted by smoke or particles, the light is refracted to a different area of the chamber, striking a photosensor that triggers the alarm mechanism. Photoelectric alarms are typically better at sensing smoldering fires, such as fires caused by smoking materials left unattended, which create a large amount of smoke.

Ionization Smoke Alarms

Ionization alarms actually house a minor amount of radioactive material which causes air between two electrodes to ionize, meaning the air itself becomes electrically charged. When smoke enters the alarm chamber, it decreases the current as it disrupts the flow of ions between the plates, and when the current is reduced, the alarm sounds. This kind of alarm is better at sensing fast-flaming fires, such as those caused by ignition of flammable liquids, grease or anything that creates lots of flames with smaller amounts of smoke.

So which is right for you? Truthfully, it’s best to be aware of any kind of fire, so the best solution is to either install both kinds of alarms, or to install a modern alarm that combines these technologies to detect both smoldering fires and fast-flaming fires.

If your home should become damaged by fire, no matter the source or fire type, SERVPRO of Gordon, Murray and South Whitfield Counties is equipped to restore your home to its original state. Call or click today to find out more.