Smoke alarms can detect fires fast, giving your family the time needed to get out of the home if there is ever a fire. There are two main types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. These two types detect different sources for smoke, providing a faster warning depending on how a fire is started. Which one is the best one to have? You should consider having both types of smoke detectors installed to prevent fire damage in Springfield Missouri.
Ionization Smoke Detectors
Ionization smoke alarms are designed to detect flaming fires that produce a higher amount of heat. This could include fires that start fast, like a curtain or sheet lit by a candle tipping over. It’s best to have ionization alarms in any rooms where there may be highly flammable materials. Highly flammable materials can include grease, paperwork, or paints. This means these alarms are perfect for craft rooms, home offices, and in the kitchen.
These alarms work by detecting smoke entering the alarm chamber, so they need to be relatively close to the fire to be triggered as soon as a fire starts.
Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Photoelectric smoke detectors tend to respond more quickly to fires that are smoldering, which means ones that don’t produce as much heat and that tend to burn slower. A good example of this is a cigarette falling onto something flammable like a blanket. In these cases, there may be a lot of smoke before flames are apparent.
These alarms work by a light reflecting on a sensor when smoke enters the chamber. Once the smoke is detected, the alarm will be triggered.
Consider Using Both Types
One type of smoke detector isn’t necessarily better than the other simply because each one works better in a different situation. Fires inside homes can be flaming or smoldering and, while both types of alarms will detect both types of fires, speed is of the essence when there is a fire. With both types of alarms in the home, no matter what type of fire occurs, you’ll be alerted as fast as possible.
Any smoke alarms in your home already should have a label stating what type they are. If you are looking to add more alarms or replace existing ones, you may want to look for combination alarms that are both ionization and photoelectric alarms in one.
Where to Place Your Smoke Alarms
Where to place the smoke detector is as important as deciding which one to purchase. In general, you’ll want one in every bedroom and one outside every sleeping area. It’s also advised to have at least one in the basement and on each level of the home. Spreading smoke alarms throughout the home ensures you are alerted fast if a fire does occur.
Fires can happen at any time, so it’s best to be prepared with the right smoke alarms throughout your home. If you do ever need help with fire damage, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration to do the fire and smoke restoration job right.