There are many parts that make up your fire alarm system, many parts which need continual maintenance and inspection. Of these parts that help as a preliminary safeguard against a fire in your house or business is the smoke detector.
Working smoke detectors are usually located in each room, possibly multiples times depending on the size of the room. These smoke detectors are always working to make sure if there is smoke in the air, you’re the first one to know. Sometimes they can go off by accident due to a hot shower or food cooking from a hot stove, but occasionally it’s because they need to be cleaned.
Essentially, there are two types of smoke detectors that you will find in any business or home – photoelectric and ionization.
Ionization – uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize air in the sensing chamber and work best to alarm you of rapidly spreading fires, where there are flames but little smoke.
Photoelectric – uses a light emitting diode and light-sensitive sensor in the sensing chamber and designed for detecting smoke but not necessarily flames.
Here is why your smoke detectors need to be cleaned to stay efficient:
Over time being exposed to various elements like cooking vapors, dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from the air in your business or home, these types of dirt can build up on the smoke detector’s sensors.
As the buildup continues, it acts as an insulator, which will reduce the performance of the smoke detectors. This is why it is imperative that they are properly cleaned out every six months.
If you are looking to clean your smoke detectors effectively, we recommend vacuuming out the smoke detector and then using a clean wipe on the outside vents. This should help to prevent any potential buildup and keep your smoke detectors in working order.
Life Safety Consultants stocks a wide array of smoke detectors from brands including Simplex, Notifier, Siemens, Pyrotronics, Edwards and more. Our smoke detectors allow you to make affordable repairs to your fire alarm system without sacrificing safety and reliability.
If you have questions about our smoke detectors or about any of the products we offer, contact us today!
