How Fire Alarms Detect Fire and Protect Your Family

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How Fire Alarms Detect Fire and Protect Your Family - By: John Leo, Posted on: 2007-09-19

Many people are hurt, lose their possessions and die because of fire. Although fire can easily be prevented it is one of the leading causes of injury at home in the United States. In some cases where individuals die of fire, it is because they were not aware that their house or the building that they occupy is on fire.

Fire alarm systems warn people of a potential fire. It warns the occupant while they still have time to either put out the fire or evacuate to safety. Most of today's fire alarm systems automatically call or notify the nearest fire department so that the fire will not spread out of control. Fire alarms are either set off manually or by heat detectors or smoke detectors.

Fire alarms are most of the time set to detect levels of heat or smoke which usually is an indication of fire. And some fire alarm systems have blinking or flashing lights for those who have a hearing impairment. With today's technology, fire alarm systems can now be integrated with the home security alarm systems for the utmost protection and safeguard of your home.

Smoke alarms are a component of any well designed fire prevention system, they sense smoke in the atmosphere of the room, closet or hall of a residence or public building and activate an alarm thus warning people nearby of a possible fire. Smoke alarms sense smoke today either by ionization or optical detection. Many smoke alarms also have carbon monoxide sensors that detect high levels of CO gas thereby providing protection from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The optical sensor in smoke alarms is a light detector which utilizes a laser beam of light. These beam sensors then sends a laser like beam to other sensors, if smoke is non-existent, the laser like beam passes through the optical chamber of the light sensor in a straight line. If smoke is present, the laser like beam is scattered by the smoke particles as it enters the light sensor and the scattered light then triggers the alarm of the smoke alarm.

Ionization smoke alarms cost much less than smoke detectors which use light sensors, however these kinds of smoke alarms are increasingly not recommended due to environmental concerns. Ionization alarms work by sensing smoke particles by a minute quantity of radioactive "americium-241" for this reason they are increasingly being discouraged from being utilized. This radiated material goes through an ionization compartment. This chamber permits the steady flow of current of electrodes, so that when smoke particles enter this chamber it interrupts the flow thus setting the alarm off.

Some fire alarm systems have sprinkler system that will contain or put out the fire before it becomes uncontrollable. However the only way to prevent fire is to take steps to be careful and take additional preventive measures.

Article Source: http://higradesearch.com

Managing companies in the low voltage products industry has been the focus of John Leo's career. He has managed companies which either manufactured or distributed low voltage products especially coaxial cable, security alarm cable, home theater audio products and fire alarm cable. webmaster@worldwide-products.biz www.worldwide-products.biz

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