How to choose a smoke detector and what is a smoke detector? The smoke detector is a common device installed in many places in the house, with the function of giving a warning signal when there is a smoldering fire, large fire or smoke.
The current complex urban areas need to ensure safety, from the beginning of the assembly phase of electric stoves to the connection system, all of them are attached with warning devices.
Equipped with smart smoke alarms is essential to ensure safety. However, in many cases, false alarms occur when cooking or smoking, which causes alarm devices to emit noisy signals and affect the surrounding space. That's why it's important to invest in a quick phone smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.
But the market offers many types of smoke alarms with modern design, adding many other features such as easy mute and warning before activating sirens, self-checking and street lights, triggering motion, which is enhanced by the use of an ionization or photoelectric sensor.
Most smoke detectors have a self-test feature built-in, which helps monitor battery and sensor functions directly related to the phone when troubleshooting. Thereby, they will sound the smoke alarm when the home automation system. In general, installing smoke alarms offers many benefits and to better understand the relevant information about choosing smoke alarms, let's analyze it below.
1. Types of sensors for smoke detector
Most smoke alarms will adopt one of two types of sensors to detect smoke or fire. If you choose ionization type sensors, they perform better at detecting fires quickly, while photoelectric sensors detect and warn of slow fires. Therefore, it is advisable to install two types of alarms (if possible) in all home spaces. Today, Nest Protect is a brand designed to handle both types of fires.
2. Main smart home hub support
It is recommended to integrate smoke alarms with all smart home devices such as Nest Protect attached to the Nest ecosystem, this is selected on pre-existing systems such as Alexa, SmartThings and HomeKit.
However, not only does this device connect to your smart home hubs, but also connects to many other smart devices or apps, the usefulness of which can be limited at times. Therefore, before integrating with a smart thermostat, a smart smoke alarm should activate the thermostat to shut down the HVAC system, preventing smoke from being sucked into the ventilation system and circulating throughout the house.
3. Smoke detector sensitivity and accuracy
Measuring smoke detector sensitivity and accuracy often makes it difficult to test smoke/CO detector performance. This suggests that smoke simulation can reveal very little about detector sensitivity. In addition, you should also consider the general consensus on the underlying technology of the smoke detector. Like Nest Protect will provide a better split photoelectric sensor than the ionization sensor used in older equipment and easier to generate false alarms.
4. Combination of Smoke and CO
To ensure you always receive warning signals, investing in a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide and secondhand smoke is essential. There are already several detectors on the market that fulfill both of these functions, so you do not need to install or purchase separate functional equipment including monitoring batteries in many devices.
However, batteries and smart hearing devices are limited in detecting smoke or CO2 directly, so you need to make sure that the smoke alarm can support both detection functions.
5. Different types of CO and smoke detectors
- Flames burn differently from smoke detectors: there are some flares, some smoldering. There are three types of smoke detectors on the market, but only one is resistant to two types of fire.
- Ionizing smoke detector: provides electrodes continuously to conduct low level currents through ionized air. These smoke particles then enter the ionized air disrupting the current, which in turn will trigger the alarm. In addition, ionization sensors easily detect smaller, less visible fire particles. Ideal for dealing with burning flames. They are susceptible to false alarms for burnt food and steam, and should not be installed near kitchens or bathrooms.
- Photoelectric smoke detector: smoke detection based on light sensor and light beam. Usually these beams will be directed away from the sensor. Especially when there is a fire, these smoke particles will directly scatter the beam, then redirect the light to the sensor, and then trigger the alarm. They are mainly used to detect larger, visible fire particles. It is noteworthy that this type of application is good in responding to smoldering fires.
- Dual sensor smoke detector: they combine ionization and photoelectric technology to increase detection of burning and smoldering fires, increase good protection and save costs when installing two detectors separate smoke.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) detector: Commonly used with sensors and when CO are detected they immediately trigger an alarm when the CO reaches levels that are unsafe for the user. There are still some digital CO level displays, and they can detect and read out CO levels via an audio message. CO detectors do not detect explosive gases or smoke such as natural gas, propane, and methane.
6. Power sources of smoke detector
Most smoke and CO alarms operate on three main sources of power:
- Hard-wired smoke detectors: they are powered directly into the AC circuit (adopted as standard in new construction). In addition, many devices also have a battery backup system: this is a backup solution to maintain the operation of the device in the event of a power failure. And known battery-powered smoke detectors are stand-alone and require no wiring. Users can use nine-volt or AA batteries, which should be replaced twice per year. On the other hand, to reduce the cost of use, you can also use a lithium battery model that can last up to 10 years.
- Plug-in CO alarms: mainly plug directly into most wall outlets if you use multiple devices. Note, the plug-in design is not suitable for smoke alarms.
7. Locations for assembling the smoke detector
Smoke detectors should be fitted in every location of the home, and carbon monoxide detectors are also essential for anyone using fuel-burning appliances such as fireplaces, air conditioners, and fireplaces. hot water, scope, hob or oven.
However, some homes still use electricity for safety, but you should install a carbon monoxide detector anyway because CO will seep into your home from your garage or backup generator being used near the area. your living during a power outage.
It is recommended that you install smoke alarms to detect flare-ups and smoldering fires in bedrooms, and detectors outside bedrooms on every floor, including the finished attic and in the basement. On the other hand, carbon monoxide detectors should also be located on every living floor, sleeping area, in the basement and near the attached garage.
8. Voice alerts
Each individual's biological time is different, especially children tend to sleep more deeply than adults and find it difficult to wake up to the sound of the alarm. Some smoke and carbon monoxide combination alarms will have voice commands installed. However, this test is also not very positive. According to the study, the percentage of children aged 6-12 who are woken up by the sound of a pre-recorded voice such as mom and dad is higher than the alarm sound.
9. Interconnectivity of smoke detector
Prioritize detector devices connected to other alarm systems for best coverage.
- Connecting a hard-wired device: also known as a wired alarm, this will make all alarms sound when smoke or CO is detected. They require the installation of a three-wire cable and the alarm kit from the manufacturer is designed to be interconnected.
- Connecting a battery-powered equipment: intended for communication via radio frequency signals. If one of the devices detects smoke, all will sound an alarm.
- Connecting a home security system: this ensures enhanced monitoring frequency in real time and the monitoring company can notify the fire department if an alarm is triggered.
10. Installation and maintenance for smoke detector
Installation of smoke alarms and how to maintain them:
- Install smoke alarms on ceilings or walls 4 to 12 inches above the ceiling.
- Install smoke alarms away from doors and windows and AC vents.
- Install most smoke alarms in every bedroom.
- Install smoke alarms in the kitchen at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances. Avoid triggering false alarms while cooking.
- It is necessary to press the test button every month to make sure the smoke detector is working.
- It is recommended to replace the battery twice a year or use a 10-year lithium battery to save money and time
- Replace alarms every 10 years.
Conclusion
A smoke detector should be installed in the house, with today's modern technology has combined many features to facilitate life. Investing in the heart of your home not only ensures you and your family are always safe wherever you are in the house, but also provides a variety of signals through an app on your phone or if your family has small children.
Plus, it provides an instant signal when it detects the tiniest fire in your child's room when your child accidentally touches the objects that caused the fire. Therefore, a smoke alarm is the necessary friend for your home space.
