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Smoke detectors do their job using one of two technologies, ionization and
photo-electronic. Either technology can detect a fast flaming or slow
smouldering fire, but response times can vary. Ionization -Ionization detectors respond well to fast-flaming fires, such as paper. Ionization smoke detectors use a slight amount of radioactive material to make the air within a sensing chamber conduct electricity. Combustion particles that enter the chamber interfere with this conductivity and trigger the alarm.
Photoelectric - Photo-electronic detectors are well suited to detecting slow
smouldering fires, which are often generated in households. Photoelectric smoke detectors are the so-called "electric eye" detectors that use a light beam and a photocell. When smoke enters the sensing chamber and reflects the light into the photocell, the alarm is triggered. For additional protection,
photo-electronic detectors are available with an internal heat sensor which triggers and alarm when the temperature at the detector reaches 135 degrees F.
"Smoke detectors can be installed outside of a kitchen leading to other
parts of a property and also outside sleeping areas in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional
floor of a property.
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