Electronic Alarms and Home Security Devices - Heat and Smoke Sensors

I just went through an in home demonstration for a fire protection system that uses a combination of photocell smoke detection and heat sensors.
The sales guy used excerpts from a report that he said was from "Dateline" that showed how ineffective most common smoke detectors are on a slow buring low heat fire that produces toxic fumes, which, he claims is the number one cause of death in a modern fire.
My gut reaction is that it's another sales pitch based on fear, however, after reviewing some stuff online, this guy may have a point.
Anyone familier with fire and smoke detection systems want to help guide me on the effectiveness of the $20 smoke detectors purchased at the local hardware store?
Thanks

There's an order of magnitude difference between the system type detectors designed for alarm system use, and the ones commonly sold for residential use.

The hardware store units generally have a practical operating life in 5 to 7 year range (longer if you are good about maintainence). The system smokes are generally more stable, less prone to false alarm, and have a much longer lifespan with any real care.

Thank you for the response.
Is there a performance difference between the ion type sold in most hardware stores and the photo cell that this guy was talking about?
Do the heat detectors add to the over all effiencey enough to warrent the cost?
Thanks

Combonation heat and smoke detectors typically found at the local hardware store are inaffective and give a false sense of security. The best solution is to get an alarm system in the house if not already provided, and connect system detectors and heat detectors in the garage, and attic or wherever the furnace is located. Smoke detectors placed in the hallway near the entrance of each bedroom is sufficient.


The building code requires smoke detectors in every houshold that are powered from the houshold electrical system. They are termed "single or multiple station smoke detectors". When more than one smoke detector is provided they are wired in tandem and will cause all detectors on the circuit to sound from any one detector activation. These detectors also require a battery to be replaced as needed.
These are typically photoelectric type and are preferable for houshold use. Another type is Ionization which uses a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the smoke particles in the detection chamber to create an alarm condition. Ionization type detectors are more prone to false alarms due to high levels of dust in the air of a typical home. Furniture, carpet and clothing create large smoke particles where Photo Electric detectors are preffered.

The mose preferable way to detect smoke is to use system smoke detectors connected to the alarm system in the home if provided. These are much more reliable. If an alarm system is not provided in the home, single station detectors purchased from a reputable alarm supply distributor,(Alarm Center in San Diego, Tried, national distributors). System Sensor is the detector of choice and is inexpensive. Off brand names found at the Home Depot may not be the most reliable detectors.

Actually, the vast majority of the residential detectors installed are of the ION variety. These are at their best for fast flame-intensive fires. The Photoelectrics are generally more expensive and are better at catching smoldering fires.

In my opinion, for most residential situations, the smoldering fire is a far more likely senario. For installed fire and security alarm system smokes, the Photo types are installed probably 10 to 1. The false alarm resistance, and better real-world performance makes them (generally) a better choice.


The heat detection capacity is a nice to have, but realistically, for the 135 degree set point used by most to trigger to be hit, the fire has to be pretty large (knee to waist height in an 8 foot ceiling room). These are better for unattended storerooms, attics, (possibly a kitchen, where a smoke will be a constant false alarm headache).


Try this link, the info is among the best around: http://www.systemsensor.com/html/guides/A05-1003.pdf

I agree with MrRonFL on this he has some good ideas.

Photocell smokes are the most widly used in home applications by my company. I have mainly used IONs in business locals covering special scenerios usually described by architects.