Understanding Photoelectric Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are compulsory in Queensland, and understanding the details of a photoelectric or ionisation device will help you keep your home safer. Homes and units these days must have the proper installations to ensure the safety of the occupants in the event of a fire. Statistics show that homes across the country with these systems installed by a licenced professional stand a better chance of catching fires early and saving everyone inside from potential harm. With the right systems installed, you can rest easy knowing that your family has the best tools for the job. There are two types of devices available in Australia that meet the standard acceptable for home use. Although both types are readily available for purchase, there is a recommendation by fire authorities as to which is the preferred type of installation. Read on to find out more about these solutions.
Photoelectric Systems
These systems work by aiming a light source at a sensing chamber. When smoke enters the room, light is reflected onto the sensor, triggering the design and setting off the alarm. These systems are proven to respond significantly quicker to smouldering fires that produce a lot of smoke and cause fewer false triggers from cooking in the kitchen or steam in bathrooms. In addition, they do not contain radioactive material, making them far safer for home use. These systems have a distinct advantage over the Ionisation version in that occupants are alerted quicker to smouldering smoke, allowing time to escape from the premises. Most house fires start with a smouldering fire initially. Ionisation alarms react when the house is well alight, significantly reducing the amount of time occupants have to evacuate a burning home.
Ionisation Systems
The chamber of an Ionisation system contains a radioactive material situated between two electrically charged plates. The air is ionised between the plates creating a current that jumps from one to the other. If smoke enters the chamber, the flow of ions is disrupted, as is the current flow between the plates and the system is triggered. These devices activate quickly in a fast, flaming fire but are slower to respond to smouldering fires and are often prone to false alarms. These less reliable elements are why they are the less preferred option of the two.
Photoelectric smoke alarms are a must-have safety measure for your home in Queensland. They can ensure you are warned early in the case of a fire, giving you more time to protect your home and family. Contact us today to find out more.