Smoke Detectors Vs Heat Detectors
In the recent era of technology, we are surrounded by heavy machinery or some combustible particle that can cause fire disaster at any time. If we only imagine that our building is caught by the fire, a cold wave of depression and sorrow hits our mind and makes our body completely paralyzed. After that we start thinking about fire safety for our building and the first piece of equipment that comes to our mind is the Fire Alarm system and some detectors. The most common types of detectors that we hear is smoke detector and heat detector.
All the fire alarm systems have interconnected detectors for the detection of fire. These detectors provide necessary information about fire origins which can hasten the fire fighting process.
Whenever we hear the terms smoke detector and heat detector, a very curious question hits our mind that “what is the difference between the smoke detector and heat detector”?
Most people think that smoke detectors and heat detectors both are the same things and their main function is the same that is giving detection that there is an emergency. This is also true but there is a huge difference between them. Both types of detectors are designed to serve different needs.
If you want to explore the difference between the features, working, and purpose of smoke detectors and heat detectors, then yes you are at the right place.
To enhance your understanding level about both types of detectors continue reading. The next section is about smoke detectors versus heat detectors.
Smoke Detector:
A smoke detector is a fire fighting instrument that detects or senses the smoke that arises from some combustible material and if not noticed can cause a fire disaster. Smoke detectors give alerting or alarming signals when the sensors in the smoke detectors, detect a little amount of smoke. Smoke detectors are designed for the protection and safety of people and property before the fire can cause huge losses. It alerts occupants at the initial stage of fire and prevents drastic damages. People need time to react, and every second is critical during an actual fire event.
A smoke detector is effective because some combustible material does not generate flames at the initial stage. But smoke is the indication of fire. So smoke detector is important because it warns people about the fire at the initial stage.
A smoke detector is important because it detects smoke or poisonous gases that if there is no flames or fire but the smoke or gases can harm people when inhaled.
Smoke Detector Working Principle:
When the smoke is detected, the smoke detector uses ionization or photoelectric technologies to give alerting signals. Ionization smoke detectors have two charged plates and the presence of radioactive material ionizes the air and due to the presence of two charged plates and ionized air current flow between the plates. The flow of current is disturbed when the smoke interferes between these two plates. Due to this interference, the detector generates an alarm.
If the detector uses photoelectric technology, then its working is a little bit different. Photoelectric technology uses ultraviolet light and the sensor. The sensor is light-sensitive. When the smoke enters the chamber of the detector, it causes the light to scatter. When the light is scattered, the sensor detects it and triggers the alarm.
Where Smoke Detector Lacks?
A smoke detector is prone to making more mistakes than heat detectors, they do provide an invaluable resource for detecting the first sign of combustion.
Application Areas:
Smoke detectors are used in many buildings. Some are as follows:
- Residential Area.
- Commercial Buildings.
- Restaurants.
- Computer Rooms.
- Warehouses of heavy machinery.
- Factories.
- Industrial Areas.
Heat Detector:
A heat detector is a very sensitive instrument that detects temperature or heat. Heat detectors are intended to sense the temperature change. A heat detector is very essential for the safety of the building because a heat detector ensures that the fire does not spread over a large area and is under control. Heat detectors can minimize fire damages by alerting people about the change in temperature that may be due to fire or some burning substances.
Heat detectors have some temperature range and when the temperature reaches the predetermined level, it triggers an alarm. This is a very effective detector because it only triggers alarm only when there is an insignificant rise in temperature.
Heat Detector Working Principle:
The working principle of heat detectors depends upon the type of heat detector.
Fixed temperature heat detector contains a diaphragm that contains the heat-sensitive element. When the temperature reaches the range of fixed temperature, at that point the solid element change into the liquid. The temperature rise causes the air temperature to increase. When the air temperature exceeds the device temperature it activates an alarm.
The rate of rising temperature has two thermocouples. When the temperature of the first thermocouple increases then the temperature of the second thermocouple, triggers an alarm as an indication of fire.
Good Point of Heat Detector:
The positive point of the heat detector is that it does trigger a false alarm. It only gives an alarming sound when there is an actual rise in temperature.
Application Areas:
Heat detectors are being used in many buildings. Some are as following:
- Heat detectors are used in the building where the safety of the building is important.
- It is used in rooms where there is dust.
- It is used in Garages.
- It is used in buildings that store flammable chemicals.
So, this was all about the differences between the smoke detector and heat detector.
Their working principle and their purposes are also different.
In the nutshell, we can say that both detectors are for our safety and protection. It is recommended that all the buildings must have both types of detectors. A smoke detector should be installed in the areas where there is a danger of smoke and a heat detector should be installed in the areas where there is a danger of temperature rise.
