Smoke Detectors

In the United States, smoke detector requirements are established by local governments, so they vary from place to place. However, the majority of these fire laws are based off of the same documentation – Article 72 of the National Fire Protection Association’s fire codes. In general, most areas require that buildings have at least one smoke detector per floor.

There are two main types of smoke detectors – photoelectric and ionization. Each one specializes in detecting a specific type of fire. Because you don’t know what type of flame may arise in your home, it is recommended by the US Fire Administration that you install both types inside your residence.

Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

Photoelectric smoke alarms work to detect very smoky fires. These arise when a large item starts to smolder and produce a lot of thick smoke. The smoke enters the detection chamber of the alarm, which sets off a light sensor. The system then sounds a horn, alerting building occupants that a lot of smoke – and therefore a fire – is present.

Ionization Smoke Detectors

Ionization smoke detectors are better at detecting quick-moving, flame fires that do not produce as much smoke as smoldering fires. They use radiation to ionize the air, thus allowing a current to pass through it. When smoke infiltrates the air, it disrupts this ionization and therefore stops current flow. This, in turn, prompts the detector to sound an alarm. In general, these systems are almost too good at detecting microscopic smoke particles – they are often prone to setting off false alarms.

Contact Us

If you have been injured in a fire due to malfunctioning or missing smoke detectors, then you may have the right to recover compensation from the responsible party. Contact the fire and explosion attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® today at 800-242-2874 to speak with an experienced lawyer about your legal options.