Fire Protection: The Four Types of Fire Detectors

Did you know that there are actually four different types of detectors that are used to sense the presence of a fire? The best way to determine which kind is the right choice for your business or building is to understand the differences between them.

The four types of fire detectors are ionization/photoelectric, photoelectric, ionization, and heat. The differences in these four types are found in how they detect a fire – heat is obviously triggered by temperature while the other three are from smoke.

• Ionization – Ionization smoke detectors actually have a constant electricalcurrent running between  wo metal plates inside of the device. The electrical current is disrupted when smoke enters the device chamber and triggers the alarm. This type of detector is great for quickly identifying fires that are fast-burning.
• Photoelectric – Photoelectric detectors work similarly to Ionization detectors, but with a beam of light instead of electricity. When smoke enters the chamber, the light beam is scattered, which then triggers the alarm. This type of devices is good at identifying smaller fires than an ionization detector. They are known to be highly reliable and rarely produce false alarms.
• Heat – Heat detectors work by detecting an increase in air temperature caused by flames. While these detectors have been known to trigger a few false alarms, they have a longer reaction time than other smoke detectors. False alarms may be triggered in buildings that are abnormally steamy, dusty, or humid and are best suited for buildings that are not continuously occupied such as warehouses or storage facilities.
• Ionization/Photoelectric – A favorite of many professionals, a combination ionization and photoelectric smoke detector is a considered by many to be the best type of detector. These devices house both types of smoke detectors (not heat) in one unit to ensure that any presence of smoke is detected as soon as possible.

Do you know which type of fire detector is the right choice for your business? Don’t worry – you don’t have to! The professionals at A Total Solution, Inc. are ready to help you design the perfect fire protection system for your needs. Contact us today to schedule your FREE consultation!