When it comes to a Smoke Detector, there are several brands which can be often found available in the market today. This small device offers safety prevention when a fire gets out of control in our homes. It serves as an early warning system so that we can prevent any harmful damage.
Thus, when choosing to acquire such safety devices, it is important to check out the product’s reliability and performance. Below we introduce Top 5 of the best smoke detectors of 2020.
There are two types of smoke detectors that you will commonly encounter. One is the Photoelectric Smoke Detector, and the other one is the Ionization Smoke Detector. The main difference between the two is the sensor and technology that is built within their chambers.
This type employs an “optical” way of detecting smoke. The smoke detector is built with a laser light which can be distorted when smoke enters the chamber. This effect of light deflection triggers the alarm to sound. Photoelectric Smoke Alarms has an average time of 15-50 minutes to respond to fire in the early stages, just before it breaks into a blazing flame.
Such types can be placed near heating appliances because they can appropriately distinguish the light smoke from threatening levels.
This type employs a “physical process” of detecting smoke. As the smoke is detected, the electric current that is present inside the chamber is lowered. This the disturbance on the electric current causes the alarm to trigger. The Ionization Smoke Detector can respond on an average of 30-90 seconds to fast blazing flames than optical smoke detectors.
Such types may need to be placed farther to heating appliances because small particles can easily trigger them, which could result in false alarms.
Although we discussed the common differences of these alarms, it does not necessarily mean that they always come in separate units. Of course, there are product lines that keep these separate because it is more specialized. However, brands have also evolved and understood the need of the market to be able to produce a unit that can incorporate both features. Again, this may not be present for all brands, but there are some that you may encounter in the market.
Aside from the two types of smoke alarm combinations, some alarms are also capable of detecting smoke and carbon monoxide presence. At the end of the day, this depends on your needs and budget.
Nest Protect is a Google Alphabet smart technology that is built to detect both smoke and carbon monoxide presence. The alarm can be managed through a Nest Protect mobile app which serves as an advantage when you are outside of the house.
The First Alert Alarms are known for meeting all Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards in product safety testing and certification. The product can also be seamlessly integrated with a system of six other alarms that are spread throughout the house.
The Kidde i2040 Smoke Alarm is an affordable smoke detector that can also be integrated into other fire protection systems such as carbon monoxide detectors and heat alarms. It is highly affordable and easy to use.
X-Sense Smoke Alarms provide products that are only with the highest standard for safety. It is built to detect slow and fast-burning fires with smart sensors that accurately trigger.
SimpliSafe Smoke detectors are built with photoelectric sensors for increased safety over ionization sensors.
Smoke Detectors are meant to work for the most crucial situations which are why maintaining them should not be taken lightly. Of course, one of the more important practices is always to reduce the risk of a fire hazard, followed by the readiness to respond when those situations occur.
When it comes to maintaining your smoke detector, this follows the first concept of reducing the risk. Smoke Detectors need to be regularly checked to ensure that it is functioning. The device would naturally have an expiration date which you should be aware of. Most units will need to be replaced after ten years.
By routinely cleaning your smoke detector, it keeps it in good shape and performance. It is advised that you set regular intervals to clean and retest your smoke detectors. You do not have to wait for the batteries to get drained to replace it. It is recommended that the battery is replaced annually so that you are always ready. This does not just go for one unit, but the rest of your units in the area as well.
To further ensure that the smoke alarm can be optimized, it can be placed near every bedroom. This is a double added protective measure since most statistics show that fire breakouts usually occur at night. The smoke detectors can be mounted on the ceiling or the wall. And make sure that it has an appropriate distance between your heating appliances to avoid false alarms.
Another tip is to keep your smoke detectors away from windows or vents that may generate a draft. This simple set of practices should be performed diligently since fire breakouts do not offer a forgiving nature.
