Guard Your House With A Smoke Detector

Smoke detectors are a vital item of safety equipment in any home. For only a few dollars you can be happy in the knowledge that you and your family will have early warning if there is a fire in your home.

While simple smoke detectors offer great value for money, there is no sense in cutting corners when it comes to protecting your family. You should choose a quality smoke detector and invest in enough of them to make sure all of your house is covered and the alarm will alert everybody.

There are two major types of smoke detector, photoelectric and ionization, and it is a good idea to have a basic understanding of how they work.

Photoelectric smoke alarms - These utilize a beam of light and a light sensor to detect smoke. When there is no smoke, the beam is directed so it misses the sensor. However, in a smoky environment the beam of light is distorted, makes contact with the sensor and sets the alarm off. Photoelectric smoke alarms can be prone to false alarms in dusty houses.

Ionization smoke detectors - These can detect tiny, invisible particles of smoke in the atmosphere. These devices utilize two electrodes and an ionization chamber. If smoke enters the chamber it interrupts the current between the two electrodes and the alarm sounds. Ionization alarms can also be prone to false alarms, but are mostly reliable.

Considering that each of these sorts of smoke detector has its strengths and bad points it may be worth investing in a combination detector that utilizes both photoelectric and ionization systems.

Different smoke detectors have different features which you need to check out before you invest. Chief among these is how the smoke alarm is powered. Ideally, the unit should be hard-wired to the mains with a battery as a back-up. In addition, it is a good idea to have all the smoke alarms in your home inter-connected. This ensures that when one alarm sounds they all sound, warning everybody of the danger.

A good unit will also have features such as a test button and a mute button, while exit lights and remote controls are others features you should consider.

While good smoke detectors are reliable and last a long time, they do require maintenance and frequent testing. All units in the home must be tested at least once a month to ensure that they are correctly connected to the mains and/or the battery still has plenty of power.

In addition, it is vital to keep the smoke alarms clean and ensure the vents are free of dirt.

Finally, correct smoke detector placement is also essential. They should be placed close to the middle of the room, and no less than one foot distant from any wall or light fitting.

By: Jim Samposzi

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Jim Samposzi is an independent journalist with more than fifteen years writing experience. Jim is presently engaged as a columnist for our b2b site and is considered the in house guru on home security. Take the time to visit our useful web portal for additional information on Fire Alarm and Smoke Alarm.