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Smoke detectors were originally developed for the prevention of fire outbreaks in industrial buildings suc… More
Smoke detectors save thousands of lives and houses every year. By sounding an alarm, they give families en… More
Smoke alarms detect smoke when smoke comes into contact with them, so placing them in high areas in the li… More
A smoke alarm uses a circuit board and works when smoke enters the sensing chamber, setting off a loud, au… More
The two types of smoke alarms are the photoelectric smoke alarm and the ionization smoke alarm, each of wh… More
A home should have a smoke alarm on every level, and each bedroom should have a smoke alarm that is close … More
Installing a smoke detector is done by mounting it high on a wall, at least four to 12 inches away from th… More
Smoke detectors are wonderful life saving devices that allow people to have advanced warning when a fire b… More
Troubleshooting smoke alarms can be done by checking the batteries, vacuuming it out regularly, placing th… More
If your smoke alarms keep going off, there are some simple things you can do to fix the problem. Performin… More
A house fire alarm should be tested at least once a month, and all of the batteries should be changed twic… More
You've just about finished preparations for that big dinner party and the smoke alarm in the hall begins s… More
A study by the National Fire Protection Association reports that over three-quarters of all fire related d… More
Smoke detectors are invaluable for early fire alert and survival. The Burn Institute reports smoke detecto… More
According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, … More
Summary: A smoke alarm uses a circuit board and works when smoke enters the sensing chamber, setting off a loud, audible tone. Find out the difference between ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms with advice from an experienced fire captain in this free video on fire safety.
Captain Joe Bruni has over three decades experience as a street firefighter and company officer. He has experience as a department training officer in the Fire and Rescue Safety &...read more
"They've become common in our houses and places of residence. The common everyday smoke alarm. Hi I'm Captain Joe Bruni, have you ever wondered how a smoke alarm works. The smoke alarm basically is simple in design. The circuit board, or the electronics are against the base plate in the back of the system. Mounted to the circuit board is the horn that emits the audible tone, when the smoke alarm is set off. The sensing chamber where smoke enters to be picked up that there maybe a possible fire and the area that houses the battery. How they work basically are two different types. Ionization, and photo electric. The ionization type uses a small radioactive source that emits current between two contacts. When smoke particles break that electrical current flow, it sets off the alarm. The photo electric, uses a light beam source inside the sensing chamber. When smoke particles break the photo electric light beam, it sets off the alarm. Smoke alarms are pretty basic and simple in design. They are meant to alert occupants of any structure in the early beginning stages of a fire so that they can evacuate and exit the structure safely long before smoke becomes a problem for the occupants of the dwelling. The common basic smoke alarm. Simple in design and everyone should have one in their place of residence. I'm Captain Joe Bruni, stay safe and we'll see you next time."
eHow Article: How Does a Smoke Alarm Work?
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