Fire breakouts can happen due to many reasons that you cannot even imagine. You can’t control everything inside a house or office space that can eventually cause a fire. However, you can always be prepared and take some measures to ensure your safety if a breakout happens. You can install a reliable fire alarm system and various devices that help control it, like fire alarm detectors.
Fire alarm detectors are devices that detect the signs of fire and release an early warning so that occupants can get out of the building in time. These detectors are of various types and are used as per the safety needs of a place. They work in different ways and have varying precision levels. They are connected to the main control panel of the fire alarm system so that they can instantly communicate about the fire breakout if they detect smoke or heat. In this article, we will discuss the different types of fire detectors and their benefits.
What are the Fire Alarm Detectors?
Fire alarm detectors are devices that can detect the signs of a fire breakout early and help people evacuate the property on time. These devices are of various types, where each one can detect different factors like smoke and heat. Some of the higher-range devices can also help to detect the presence of gas and UV. Moreover, if you are using addressable detectors, they can also send the location of the origin of the fire and save a lot of time.
Understanding the Various Types of Smoke Detectors Used in Fire Alarm Systems
Optical Smoke Detectors
These types of fire alarm detectors are very commonly used in houses and offices to detect the signs of fire. They scatter infrared light around the environment to detect the smoke. They use sensors to scan light, and if enough light doesn’t reach them, they can trigger the alarm.
Benefit: They are more sensitive to small flames, which people can ignore.
Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
These smoke detectors are more efficient than the optical smoke detectors and have a very simple light detection system to activate the alarms in case of fire. Because of their speed and accuracy, they are preferred more and installed in large numbers across the facility.
Benefit: They provide early warnings of fire breakouts with fast detection.
Ionic Smoke Detectors
These smoke detectors are also very quick and efficient at detecting fire in the environment. But they don’t rely on the light to detect the smoke; they measure the ion levels in the surrounding air. They are better than the optical and photoelectric detectors.
Benefit: They can detect fire faster than other devices and can even sense small smoke particles.
Understanding the Various Types of Heat or Thermal Detectors Used in Fire Alarm Systems
Thermal detectors
Thermal detectors sound the alarms when they sense a rise in temperature. Users can set a limit over which they can trigger the fire alarms and alert people to evacuate the building. These detectors are most commonly used in areas where temperatures are high during normal activities.
Benefit: They detect fire by sensing heat instead of smoke and are more efficient because of that.
Thermovelocimetric detectors
These fire detectors use thermistors to sense fire breakouts. They are used in places where normal detectors can’t detect the difference between a normal rise in temperature and sudden heat due to fires.
Benefit: These detectors are efficient in sensing rapid temperature rises.
Understand What Gas Detectors Are and Their Use Cases
Gas detectors are a type of fire detector that can sense flammable gases and trigger the alarms to alert the people, as it can cause a fire breakout anytime. Commonly, these types of fire detectors are used in industrial places where there are more chances of gas leaks.
For example, if these detectors sense there is Carbon Monoxide or CO in the air, they can trigger the alarms and people can evacuate the buildings quickly.
Benefit: They sense dangerous gases that are visible to naked eyes.
How to Choose Which Fire Alarm Detector is Right for You?
Here are the following points to remember when you choose a fire alarm detector for you security needs:
Type of Detector
First, make sure which type of fire alarm detector technology you need. Heat detectors are used to measure a rise in temperature, and smoke detectors look for smoke particles to detect fire breakouts. Moreover, gas leakages can only be detected by gas detectors.
Check Positions
Now check at which positions you need to install the detectors. It will help you to identify how many detectors you will need and their types.
Power Source
Check which type of power source the selected detectors need. If they are battery powered you will need to recharge them repeatedly, and if they are wired, you will need to check the connections occasionally.
Conventional or Addressable Detectors
Check whether you need conventional or addressable detectors. The conventional detectors only help you identify the zone of fire breakout, whereas the addressable devices signal about the exact location of the fire.
Final Thoughts
Fire alarm detectors are essential safety devices. They help to identify fire breakouts early and help save lives. There are smoke and heat detectors that detect small fires early. And there are gas and addressable systems that help to detect the location. Each type of device has a specific purpose and benefit. You can choose the right detector based on the security needs and what type of business you have. Moreover, you should also have to place the detectors at the right spots and provide a power source. By investing in a reliable fire alarm system with the right detectors, you not only enhance safety but also gain peace of mind.
