What are smoke detectors and its types?
There are two basic types of passive smoke detectors: photoelectric (optical) and ionisation (physical process). A combination of the two types of alarm (dual sensor smoke alarm) is recommended for maximum protection from both fast flaming and slow smouldering fires.
What is the best type of smoke detector to buy?
Ionization smoke detectors are best at detecting the small particles typical of fast, flaming fires. Photoelectric smoke detectors are best at detecting the large particles typical of smoky, smoldering fires but poor at detecting fast, flaming fires.
Can I mix and match smoke detectors?
Yes. You can replace a smoke detector with a combination smoke/CO unit. All modern First Alert and BRK alarms use the same wire harness and connector. For example, if you have 5 smoke detectors interconnected with one combo unit, only the combo smoke/CO unit will sound the CO alarm.
Do wireless smoke alarms meet code?
Wireless fire alarm systems are referred to as low-power radio (wireless) fire alarm systems in this code. These systems are required to comply with all of the requirements that wired fire alarm systems comply with, except as modified by circuits and pathway designations and special requirements found in NFPA 72.
Can I use wireless smoke detectors?
With a wireless smoke alarm system, you won’t have to worry about cables making your home unsightly, and these systems can be fitted quickly and simply too. Wireless systems use signals that are transmitted through a radio bandwidth in order to alert you to smoke or a fire.
Is it code to have a smoke detector in every bedroom?
Presently the California State Building Code requires that smoke alarms be located in 1) the hallway outside the bedrooms 2) in each bedroom and 3) on every floor regardless of whether there is a bedroom on that floor.
How do smoke alarms talk to each other?
The alarms communicate with each other via DC signal in the orange wire, which we call the Interconnect wire. The same fuse or circuit breaker in the home powers all interconnected units.
Why do all smoke detectors go off at the same time?
Why do smoke detector alarms go off even when there’s no smoke? The most likely reason smoke detectors go off unexpectedly is that people aren’t changing the batteries in them often enough. In most sensors you might think of, the strength of the signal goes up when they detect what they’re supposed to.
Do fire alarms have to be interconnected?
For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound. Interconnection can be done using hard-wiring or wireless technology. When interconnected smoke alarms are installed, it is important that all of the alarms are from the same manufacturer.