5 Types of Smoke Alarms

How to Choose One for Your Home

Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, smoke alarm installation is an essential part of any home. They can alert you to dangerous fires, carbon monoxide leaks, and other dangers before they become serious problems. The type of alarm that’s best for your home depends on the layout and contents of each room, as well as your personal preferences. To help you decide what type will work best in your home we’ve put together this guide to the different types of smoke alarms available and how they might be installed so that you can make an informed decision about which type is right for your situation.

Ionization Alarms

If you’re looking for a basic smoke alarm, an ionization alarm is the most common type. These alarms detect smoke particles and are good at detecting fast-burning fires. They may not be as sensitive to slow-burning fires though, so if that’s a concern, it’s worth considering other types of smoke alarms.

Ionization alarms tend to be more expensive than photoelectric or heat alarms since they also have sensors to detect heat and carbon monoxide (CO). This means they can alert you even if your home has no open flames but there are still potentially dangerous levels of CO or insufficient ventilation.

Photoelectric Alarms

Photoelectric alarms are a popular choice. They’re more sensitive to smaller particles of smoke and are better at detecting fast-spreading fires. This makes them an ideal type of smoke alarm for homes with pets or smokers, as well as for homes in areas prone to wildfires. The downside is that these alarms aren’t as effective at detecting slow-burning fires, as those caused by cooking burners or electrical wiring problems.

Like ionization detectors, photoelectric alarms can be installed on ceilings or walls at least three feet away from any wall socket or light fixture; though they may be installed closer if you prefer a more centralized location for your smoke detectors (under the same conditions). Be sure that you get a licensed electrician to make sure the smoke detector is installed properly. When looking for a qualified electrician, you can do a quick Google search by typing “electrician moorabbin” or your local area in Google. Once you find a few choices, read reviews to find the best option.

Another benefit of photoelectric sensors? They don’t require batteries! Instead, they contain a capacitor that continuously charges when the unit is plugged into an outlet; when it detects smoke particles in the air surrounding it (which occurs when smoke travels through its tiny openings), it sends out just enough power to sound off an alarm for about 30 seconds until firefighters arrive on the scene. After this initial alarm has sounded off your home’s other nearby devices will also begin sounding their own alarms—this means you’ll have plenty of time to escape safely!

Combination Alarms

Combination alarms detect both types of smoke, but they’re more expensive than ionization alarms. Combination alarms are also more expensive than photoelectric models.

• Wired: These combination alarms are installed with wires, so you need to run electrical wiring and attach the device to an existing circuit in your home.
• Battery-operated: This type of combination alarm is powered by batteries that last for 10 years and can be easily replaced (some wired versions require you to hire a professional to replace their power source).

Talking Alarms

Talking alarms are an excellent choice for people with hearing loss. They can also be used by people who are deaf or have a visual impairment, as the alarm will vibrate and/or flash to alert you of an emergency.

Smoke detectors that talk have been popular with older adults and those who prefer not to wear hearing aids or other assistive listening devices, but they’re now also available in smaller models that can fit into any décor.

Low-Frequency Alarms

Low-frequency smoke alarms are the newest type of alarm. They’re more sensitive to slow-smoldering fires, which account for up to 80% of all residential fires. These types of smoke alarms detect lower concentrations of smoke particles than other types, including dust or steam.

Low-frequency smoke alarms are more expensive than other types and may not be suitable for everyone’s needs. If you have a large home with high ceilings and lots of open space between rooms, there may not be enough coverage from one low-frequency unit alone. In this case, it would be better to install several standard or photoelectric units instead.

Make sure to replace your smoke alarms

While it is important to change the batteries in your smoke alarms regularly, you should also check them at least once a year to ensure that they are functioning correctly. If there has been any damage to your smoke alarms or if they have been exposed to extreme temperatures (such as being left outside), it is highly recommended that you replace them immediately. The longer you wait, the greater chance there is of having an issue with your home fire protection system and becoming injured or even killed by a fire in your home.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many types of smoke alarms available to you. It is important to know the differences between them so that you can choose a model best suited for your home and family. When looking at smoke detectors, it’s important that you read reviews from other customers to determine which ones work best for their needs (and yours).

About the Author

Patrick Watt is a content writer, writing in several areas, primarily in business growth, value creation, M&A, and finance. Other interests also include content marketing and self-development. Say hi to Patrick on Twitter @patrickwattpat.