Installation Guide

Smoke Sensing Technologies
What You Should Know About Smoke and Fire Alarm Sensing Technologies
While all smoke alarms are designed to detect smoke, certain sensing technologies react differently to certain
types of fires.
In order to provide your family the maximum in fire-safety protection, you need to be sure your smoke alarms use
both Ionization and Photoelectric Sensing Technologies. Because not all fires are created equal.
Sometimes a fire can smolder for hours before erupting into flames. Photoelectric Sensing Technology is generally
more sensitive than Ionization Sensing Technology at detecting smoldering fires. Sources of smoldering fires may
include cigarettes burning in couches or bedding. Other fires can erupt far more quickly. Ionization Sensing
Technology is generally more sensitive than Photoelectric Sensing Technology at detecting flaming fires. Sources
of flaming fires may include paper burning in a wastebasket or a grease fire in the kitchen. It's important to note
that all smoke alarms are designed to detect particles of smoke-regardless of their type.
But-for the earliest possible warning-regardless of the type of fire, you should be sure your smoke alarms use both
Ionization and Photoelectric Sensing Technologies.
Photoelectric Sensing Technology
is generally more sensitive than Ionization Sensing
Technology at detecting large particles, which tend to
be produced in greater amounts by smoldering fires,
which may smolder for hours before bursting into flame.
Ionization Sensing Technology
is generally more sensitive than Photoelectric Sensing
Technology at detecting small particles, which tend to
be produced in greater amounts by flaming fires, which
consume combustible materials rapidly and spread
quickly.
ALWAYS BE SURE TO:
o Install both Photo- and Ion-sensing types of smoke alarms on every level of your home for maximum
protection.
o Have a smoke alarm in every bedroom.
o Test your smoke alarms every month.
o Change the batteries in your smoke alarm every 6 months.
o Create and practice a home escape plan at least twice a year.
o Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
REMEMBER:
What matters is that you provide your family with the maximum in fire-safety protection for all possible conditions.
So be sure your home is equipped with both Photo- and Ion-sensing types of smoke alarms.