what is the difference between a smoke alarm and a fire alarm?
2006-11-01 12:28:55 · 8 answers · asked by Johnny C 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
A fire alarm is typically a "system" that is used to evacuate a facility in the event of a fire. It may not necessarily have smoke detectors throughout the facility. "ALARM" is the key word here. It is designed to alert the occupants within the facility of a fire with horns and flashing lights. Fire alarms are activated by devices such as manual pull stations, smoke and heat detectors, and sprinkler water flow devices, if the facility is sprinkled. Fire alarms also often are monitored so a call can be made from the monitoring station to the fire department automatically if the system is alarmed.
A smoke alarm is a stand-alone smoke detector with an integral sounder that is typically used in residential applications. They are not generally connected to a fire alarm system. They can, however, be connected to each other so if one goes off, the sounders activate on all of them. This is called multiple station smoke alarms. Most newer homes are wired in this fashion. These are not typically monitored, but can be connected to home security systems and larger alarm systems if desired.
I hope that helped. It's good that you do recognize there is a difference. Many people incorrectly use the terms interchangeably.
2006-11-02 02:20:53 · answer #1 · answered by todvango 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the fire alarm business, a fire alarm device or system can be a manual fire alarm box, heat detector, waterflow device, flame detector or smoke detector.
The term "smoke alarm" refers to a smoke detector that is not connected to a fire alarm control unit, but operates independently, or with other smoke alarms.
Virtual c is mistaken, Commercial smoke detectors operate by the photoelectric principle or the ionization principle.
Some photoelectric-type smoke detectors look at the reflection (actually refraction) caused when a light beam bounces off smoke particles. Others have a light source pointed at a photosensitive receiver. The reduction of light received, caused by smoke particles, creates an alarm.
Ionization-type smoke detectors utilize a source of radioactivity, like Americium to make a conductive path through part of the detector. Smoke particles interfere with the conductive path, causing an alarm.
All are a bit more complicated, but this explains the basics.
2006-11-01 14:04:29 · answer #2 · answered by Ed 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A smoke alarm is typically a self-contained smoke sensor and alarm-sounding unit. A fire alarm may be nothing more than an electric bell with a manual switch to turn on the bell when there is a reason to evacuate the building. Or a fire alarm may have smoke and heat sensors, in addition to manual pull stations, and distributed sounders that include the ability to broadcast recorded messages about evacuation, or to broadcast specific instructions, like a public address system.
2015-10-12 14:22:58 · answer #3 · answered by Nuff Sed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A smoke alarms is a type of fire alarm but you don't want to put a smoke alarm in your kitchen. When cooking the smoke could set off the alarm. There are also heat detectors which would be more appropriate.
2006-11-01 12:35:00 · answer #4 · answered by jaws65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A fire alarm detects the presence of fire by monitoring the changes in environment associated with combustion. This can include the detection of smoke which is why they are commonly confused with smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms, on the other hand, are devices that are able to detect smoke or fire, giving an audible alarm as a result. They are fantastic at detecting a fire in its early stages, allowing you adequate warning to evacuate before inhaling any harmful gases.
2016-05-30 13:20:09 · answer #5 · answered by Sherryl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically, a fire alarm acts as an ionization detector where air gets ionized as it heats. A smoke detector uses a photo cell to detect material in the air.
2006-11-01 12:38:33 · answer #6 · answered by virtual_cynic 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, ANY smoke can set off a SMOKE detector. I have trouble boiling water in the kitchen without setting off the smoke detector in the living room. I am about ready to try replacing the detectors throughout the home. They are relatively old anyway.
2016-03-19 02:38:29 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think smoke alarms are more sensitive. like if you burn food in the kitchen, or have too many people smoking in the house, it will set it off.
2006-11-04 01:20:09 · answer #8 · answered by mary f 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋