I, like most had never really given much thought to the types of smoke detectors in my home. Like most homes, they are all ionization detectors. I recently came across several articles and videos comparing the ionization type vs the photoelectric type and how the ionization type often do not respond to smoldering fires quick enough. Very eye opening What kind do you have?
Just replaced the detectors in my 10 year old house last winter, I found the same info when I looked into it. At the time there was only one detector on the market that had both types of detection, Kiddie model PI 9010. There may be others now. What still doesn't exist as far as I know is a smoke/carbon monoxide combo unit that has both types of smoke detection.
Out of the roughly 10 detectors in my home, all of which are ionization, I've only replaced two so far. I debated whether or not to get the photoelectric only or the ones that do both and after much reading about the matter I opted for the photoelectric only. One of the ones I replaced was in the kid's playroom adjacent to the kitchen. the old ionization one that was there would go off periodically when cooking in the kitchen. After a few months the photoelectric one has not gone off at all. We also have purchased fire extinguishers and rope ladders for emergency egress.
If you have the photoelectric ones, make sure you cover them with a plastic bag and rubber band if you do any drywall work or a significant amount of wood sanding in the house. Figured that out all on my own!
I read about this and saw the videos as well and I no longer use ionization type smokes.. I have the Kidde photoelectric\CO combo alarms with voice on each level.. Paid around $47.00 each and they have been good with no nuisance alarms.. Another nice feature is you don't have to remove the sensors to replace the backup batteries.. I bought them here http://www.westsidewholesale.com/kidde-kn-cope-i.html These are on sale right now for $43.52 each which is a good deal.. Ray
Far as I can tell. And if you get just the right amount of dust on the sensor, it will put it on a hair trigger so that it will alarm at the slightest provocation making it damm near impossible to figure out what is setting it off until you realize what is going on.
Any insight into this? Kidde 2-in-1 Battery Operated Wireless Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Voice (Bundle of 3)-21027448 - The Home Depot These photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible fire particles (associated with slow smoldering fires) sooner than ionization sensing alarms Kidde Worry-Free 10-Year Battery Combination Smoke and CO Alarm with Voice (2-Pack)-21027454 - The Home Depot
I only use photoelectric\CO combo wired alarms with battery backup here.. Photoelectric react much faster and are less prone to false alarms as well.. Have the Kidde combos here.. Have had 3 fail under warranty and they replaced them.. If you're only going to use one type I'd use photoelectric and ideally both types.. This is why your smoke detector might not sound in the event of a fire
I found a good way to test mine is put the light/dark lever on the toaster on the midpoint of its scale, pop some bread in to make toast and go do something else.
Thank you Ray, time was running out on the one day sale so I bought one of each set figuring I could return one set or the other eventually with HD's long return window policy. Pricey, but I'll keep and install both (both sets are smoke/CO combo's like yours) One of each in big room (living/kitchen) and then each bedroom. Have an ionizing one from 2013 and a separate CO in the garage. The previous CO detectors were hard to live with, both an AC cord to plug in and battery back up, except even with fresh batteries it would sound the alarm every time the power went out (which is too frequently here, especially when it goes out for 5 seconds and comes back on several times per day), the poor dogs panic every time when they hear that. And yikes on the video you posted - we bought this shack in late 2012, it had been vacant for years and we only came up occasionally, sure enough we returned here to open it up and get in running one weekend early in 2013 and black soot on cabinet in the utility room and a strong electrical fire smell. Spooky stuff not be taken lightly! (btw, since then we had the place gutted and all new wiring )
Also photo electric sensors should be used near bathroom and kitchens to reduce false alarms.. I am a big believer in smoke\CO alarms.. Real life savers!
