Final answer: Photoelectric smoke detectors are less prone to false alarms caused by cooking or showers. They work by using a light beam and sensor, and are triggered by larger smoke particles, unlike the ionization smoke detectors that respond to tiny particles and often cause false alarms.
This might sound strange at first because we have said that ionization sensors are more sensitive to cooking. But, when they are combined with a photoelectric sensor, the manufacturer can make the ionization sensor more resistant to the small smoke particles that come from cooking vapors.
Pros of Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
Fewer False Alarms: These detectors are less likely to be triggered by cooking fumes or steam. That reduces your likelihood of false alarms and the "alarm blindness" that can result from it.
If you can, use extractor fans, and close doors between designated cooking areas and your smoke alarm to further prevent false alarms. Toasters often cause false alarms so carefully consider where these are placed. You should not have a smoke alarm in a kitchen area - only heat alarms are suitable for a kitchen space.
Dense water vapor is like humidity when it comes to triggering false alarms. When you take a shower or boil water on the stove, smoke detectors can sense the steam and sound the alarm. Make sure you ventilate your bathroom and kitchen properly to prevent this.
Additionally, photoelectric smoke detectors, which are less sensitive to steam and more responsive to smoke from fires, can further minimize the risk of unnecessary disturbance.
An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires (imagine a fire where you can see the flame), while a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoking, smoldering fires (such as a cigarette).
Photoelectric smoke alarms
Excellent choice for the kitchen area because they are less prone to nuisance alarms caused by cooking (burnt toast) or humidity (shower steam).
Press the hush/silencing button. It will silence the entire interconnected system. The button may also say “test.” It should silence all the alarms immediately unless there's still smoke and debris. It will reset in eight minutes, given that the smoke and debris have dissipated.
Approximately 80% of false alarms are caused by simple user error. Other common causes include installation mistakes and improper system maintenance. The good news is that these false alarms are largely avoidable.
Heat detectors can be used to protect these areas without false alarms or photo-electric alarms can minimize the likelihood of false alarms.
Photoelectric smoke detectors are a better option for the kitchen, as they only respond to actual smoke. Both types of detectors should be used in the home. However, ionization smoke detectors should not be used in the kitchen because they often overreact to the byproducts of cooking, like steam and atomized fats.
Optical smoke alarms, also known as photoelectric smoke detectors, are less prone to false alarms than ionisation models and are slightly quicker at detecting slow smouldering fires that tend to produce a lot of smoke. This type of fire tends to originate from upholstery materials or overheated wiring.
Most smoke alarms can't tell the difference between steam from the shower or smoke from a fire, so they treat them both the same way. This is one of the things we thought we could do better with Nest Protect.
UV/Vis and fluorescence detectors are highly sensitive and they can measure the sample selectively. The gradient elution method can be used because the detectors are less sensitive to temperature. The RI detector has the advantage of being able to detect a wide range of components.
Photoelectric smoke alarms sound tens of minutes faster than ionization smoke alarms during smoldering stage fires with significantly fewer false alarms. Furthermore, their performance in flaming stage fires is comparable to ionization alarms, making the photoelectric alarm the best choice.
Most false alarms are the result of an activity such as cooking, smoking or hot works or sometimes simply because the system was not taken off-line when being tested. It's important to minimize the false alarms to prevent complacency.
Accumulation of Debris
A smoke alarm is a sensitive device that helps to detect smoke particles from different sources of fire. Debris such as dust or soot often produced by burning matter can accumulate on the gadget thereby triggering the alarm even when there is no actual fire.
Recall Details
The recalled units are Kidde Model Series 2040, 2050, 2060 and 2070 Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide alarms. Only alarms with the TruSense logo or “AMBER=FAULT” printed on the front of the alarm are included in this recall. The model number is printed on the back of the alarm.
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. These types of fires consume combustible materials rapidly and spread quickly.
To make sure you are the least likely to trigger a smoke detector by mistake, you should make sure that all smoke detectors are installed correctly in the best possible location and that they are cleaned and maintained regularly to avoid problems. And of course, when in doubt – ask your fire safety expert for advice.
Some smoke detectors are extremely sensitive and steam from showers, smoke from burning food, even sprays from aerosol cans such as deodorant and hair-spray can set them off. Be aware of where all alarm detectors are in your home and ensure all reasonable measures are taken to avoid false alarm activation.
Difficulty Detecting Quick-Burning Fires
One of the primary limitations of photoelectric smoke detectors is their reduced sensitivity to quick-burning fires. These types of fires, often ignited by fast-acting sources such as sparklers or electrical sparks, produce less smoke but more intense flames.
Our pick for the most reliable smoke alarm is the Kidde Dual Sensor Smoke Detector PI9010, because it can detect different types of home fires, making it one of the more unusual smoke detectors out there. We've tested a wide range of smoke detector models and compiled a list of the best options for households.
Ionization models are best suited for rooms that contain highly combustible materials that can create flaming fires. These types of materials include flammable liquids, newspapers, and paint cleaning solutions. Photoelectric models are best suited for living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens.