ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Smokes, Ionization or Photoelectric?

NFPA Standard 72 and the New York Building Code requires a smoke in all sleeping areas, in the area between sleeping area (in front of bedrooms) and the rest of the house, and one on each floor including the basement. All smoke alarms to be interconnected to sound together. (Hard wired with battery back-up)

Ionization Smoke Alarms tend to detect combustion quicker but are more prone to false alarms.
Photoelectric Smoke Alarms tend to detect smoldering type fires better the Ionization Smoke Alarms and are less probable to false alarms.

I recommend putting Ionization Smoke Alarms in the bedrooms and Photoelectric Smoke Alarms in the rest of the house.

To avoid nuisance alarms keeping smoke alarms 20 feet from furnaces, ovens, etc., 10 feet from bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc. and 3 feet from heating/ AC vents.

Smokes have a life of ten years and should be replaced after ten years.

I'm thinking that if photoelectrics would detect a smoldering fire before an ionization type detector I would prefer them to be in the bedrooms, due to the fact of smokers who fall asleep while smoking.

As far as the heat detector not being a life safety device, I think that refers to the fact it does not give off any warning alarms like a smoke. I don't think it is a waste of money if used in the proper circumstance.