ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Attic fire detector: heat or smoke?

Anyone know what the preferred detector is to protect an attic? I was originally thinking a 135 degree heat detector, but thought that might be asking for trouble, so then I thought about the 200 degree heat (& rate-of-rise) detector. Of course, at that detection point, you have a serious problem on your hands by the time the alarm sounds. Does anyone know of any reason NOT to use a smoke detector? Would attic heat cause them to malfunction? Dust?

You'll need to use heat due to the temperature environment. Where in the US is the install? Is there an attic fan?

In my home I have a 135 deg heat with no problem, but I'm in the NE with an attic fan.

It's in SE Ohio, no attic fan (ridge vent). So the heat does cause the smoke detectors to malfunction?

The operating temps on MOST smoke detectors is around 32 degrees F to 120 degrees F. So cold is as much of a factor as heat.

By the IRC (International Residential Code) smoke detectors are not required in the attic. I was at a seminar on smoke detectors earlier this year and they had a "wind up" heat detector. It takes no electricity or batteries, just wind it up and mount it. When I get home tonight I will look for the brochure and post it tomorrow. If I was inclined to install a smoke detector in the attic, this would be the ticket

http://www.safe-mart.com/chraofriandf.html


We use Rate of rise heat detectors in attics