Smoke detectors: ion vs optical

[Boondox]

I've heard the new optical smoke detectors were much better than the old ion chamber type, but can't find any info online. Anybody have any personal experience or suggest any webpages that have info on them? TIA, Pete

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Pete,

Do you mean photo-electric? In a home version I am not aware of an optical type. In the commercial line of fire detection devices they have optical. BUT they start at about $3K EACH and are used as flame detectors.

If it is photoelectric you can get them at any big box store. Best to get is a combo with both photo and ionization in one unit.

 

[ronjhall]

Pete
Here is a site that should answer your question.
How Stuff Works
I just changed out my Smoke & CO detectors.
Depending on where you are placing detectors. Different types should be used.
Here is a link to Kidde that should answer some questions.

 

[boustany]

Apparently, each type is better at detecting one type of fire over another. If memory serves, ionic detectors are better at detecting fast buring 'hot' fires while photo are btter are detecting slow burning fires.

There was a big hullaballoo here a few years ago. So I have both in my house (belt & suspender theory) because, even though I live in a mostly fireproof house made of mostly concrete and steel, I am kinda paranoid for my family.

 

[GerardC]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...even though I live in a mostly fireproof house made of mostly concrete and steel......)</font>

That may be true, but one must remember that everything else in the house will probably go up like a match book. Always better safe than sorry. Gerard

 

[texastomtom]

Which is best for determining when supper is ready..

My wife seems to like to use the detector to determine when supper is done...

Personally I think one that acts a little faster would be better.

Which do you guys recommend ?




Just kidding,,, my wife can cook yuMMy good.....

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( mostly fireproof house )</font>

IF your home has an automatic fire sprinkler system installed I would almost agree with you. BUT I can tell you with 25 years in the insurance business, I have yet to find anything fireproof. Even concrete will have damage, fire does a pretty good job of destroying things. Remember it is the smoke that kills not the fire.

 

[boustany]

Uh, yeah, reinforced concrete walls, concrete floors, steel studs, fire rated drywall, fire insulation inside all interior walls. The only flamable components is the roof, and it would take a while for a fire to get there. Basically the only thing that can burn inside the house is the paint on the walls. And I still have smoke detectors in every room, including the basement.

I would think a sprinkler system would be overkill, no? My building inspector (local fireman) thought it would be.

Actually if you've been 25 years in the insurance business can you explain why I don't get a discount on fire coverage and pay the same as a stick built house made out of highly flammable materials.

Have you seen many concrete & steel structures burn to the ground?

 

[Boondox]

Well, we had the sales presentation last night from Master Guard. For two dwellings, their recommended mix of ionic and photoelectric smoke detectors, three heat sensors, a couple of CO detectors, and five fire extinguishers comes to $4700!

Then I went online and found the same mix from different companies comes to about $800. Is MasterGuard that good...or is this another pyramid scheme?

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> For two dwellings, their recommended mix of ionic and photoelectric smoke detectors, three heat sensors, a couple of CO detectors, and five fire extinguishers comes to $4700! </font>
Wow! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
There cannot be that much work to install what only cost $800.
When we had our fire and burglar alarms installed a few years ago. Total cost including install was about $1000. I have upgraded it but have not had any problems.

 

[boustany]

I think that these things are certified by UL/CSA, and somebody else, so for what matters it probably doesn't matter who you buy them from.

'Round here, you are supposed to hardwire and gang all detectors in bedrooms (and maybe the kitchen) in new construction. I have that plus a couple with battery back up.

The idiots who build my AC detectors have a green pilot light that is on 24/7. Sadly, wee bugs are attracted to green lights, so I was getting a lot of false alarms, which scares the stink outta yah. I disassembled every alarm and put electrical tape on the pilot lights and the problem was solved.

Why they didn't go with a red LED or a flasher, I'll never know.

Be warned: don't buy a smoke alarm with a green pilot light.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

quote] Have you seen many concrete & steel structures burn to the ground? )</font>

YES a week does not go buy that I do NOT see one. Now how many empty concrete and steel structure burn to the ground, not many. The problem is most people who build a building plan on putting combustible things inside of the building. Those combustible things are what burns and destroys the building. Look at your typical large box store. It has a metal roof ( unless it is in Ca. and it is a wood roof) and concrete block walls. BUT all those combustible items inside of the building, that is what burns.

So unless you sleep and sit on concrete blocks I would guess you have a combustible load inside of your house that would burn and destroy your home or do serious damage. That is where the automatic sprinkler system is an advantage. They will control and extinguish the fire before it gets very large. If I was building a new home I would install a sprinkler system. In some states you have no choice but to put them in. The track record on home fire sprinklers has been EXCELLENT, no one has died in a building with a home fire sprinkler system installed. You can not say that about homes with only smoke alarms.

Here is a web site with a lot of info on home fire sprinklers

web page

web page

If you live in the US and your town/state has adopted NFPA 5000 or 101, see below.

NFPA Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies
JAN 5/2005: The NFPA Technical Committee on Residential Occupancies has completed its work in preparing the next editions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 5000. In both documents, the committee decided to require fire sprinkler systems in all new one- and two-family dwellings.