Importance of Smoke Detectors

Fire safety organizations consider smoke detectors and smoke alarms to be the most important device in the prevention of deaths and injuries from fires. Many of these organizations sponsor periodic campaigns to remind people to test their systems and to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors.

History

Smoke detectors were invented in 1969 by BRK Electronics. Their "First Alert" battery or AC powered systems met with success from the beginning. States began to pass laws requiring smoke detectors in public buildings as statistical information about the effectiveness of smoke detectors became available.

Significance

Government statistics tell us that fires are the fifth most common cause of unintentional death in the U.S. The U.S. has the fourth highest rate of death from fires in the 25 developed countries that report such figures.

Most house fires occur at night. Common causes are related to smoking cigarettes or cigars, and usually begin in smoldering bedding or furniture in living areas. Unattended kitchen sources are another major cause. Every fire report includes information on whether smoke detectors were present and whether they were in working condition.

Smoke detectors are easily triggered by smoke from any source. A smoke detector should be on every floor and in high risk areas such as a kitchen or a room where there is a fireplace or heating appliance.

Function

Smoke detectors work by ionization or photoelectric means, and many use both methods. Often a heat sensor is also included.

Ionization works by charging two plates between which ionized particles pass. When smoke passes between the plates it interrupts the flow of the positively and negatively charged atoms and sets off the alarm.

Photoelectric detectors are triggered when smoke passes between a light beam and a photoelectric cell. In one type, the smoke interrupts the beam; in another type, the beam is scattered by the smoke and light strikes a trigger cell.

Features

Battery-powered smoke detectors use 9 volt or lithium batteries. Detectors may also be hard-wired in to 120v wiring. Most residential detectors warn with loud audible signals. These are of no help to people who are hearing impaired. For the hearing impaired, there are simple smoke detectors that have strobe lights. Other types can be wired into systems that connect to bed shakers, which offer security during sleeping hours. Service animals or pets can be trained to alert the people in the house to any type of alarm.

Considerations

Smoke detectors are only the beginning of a fire safety strategy. It is important to have fire escape routes planned and to practice the plan.

Benefits

Smoke detectors make it easier and safer for firefighters to do their job by helping people get to safety even before the firefighters arrive.

Smoke detectors save lives.

References

• Fire Safety and smoke detectors
• Smoke detector information
• Invention of smoke detectors

Resources

• Fire Safety Fact and Educational Source