How Smoke Alarms And Heat Detectors Work - Ei Electronics Ei650 Operating Instructions Manual

2.1 How smoke alarms and heat detectors work

Before a smoke alarm goes off, a sufficient amount of smoke must have entered the
smoke chamber. The smoke alarm should be located less than 7.5 m from the source of
the fire in order to respond quickly. The devices must be installed in locations where
they can be heard throughout the building, so that all inhabitants can wake up and
get out quickly in an emergency. A single smoke alarm can offer limited protection if
it is installed properly, but two or more alarms (preferably interlinked) are needed in
most houses to ensure that a warning is given quickly enough. For optimum protection,
a smoke alarm should be installed in every room in which a fire could break out (except
the kitchen and bathroom).
The first smoke alarm to be installed should be placed between the bedroom and the
most likely source of a fire (for example, the living room). It should be located no more
than 7.5 m from the door of a room in which a fire could break out and block the
escape route.
Heat detectors sound when the temperature on the heat detector reaches 58 °C.
They are recommended for use in kitchens, garages, boiler rooms and other areas in
which there is often a large amount of steam or dust. Smoke alarms cannot be installed
in these locations without the risk of repeated false alarms. A heat detector should only
be used in rooms that adjoin escape routes in which smoke alarms are installed.
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