Smoke alarm or smoke detector

We wanted to promote life safety, but also wanted to let our customers know that this might not apply to them, so we tweeted this:

So what is the difference in a smoke alarm and a smoke detector?

The National Fire Protection Association defines each as:

Smoke Alarm. A single or multiple-station alarm responsive
to smoke.  NFPA 72 3.3.265 2016 Edition

Smoke Detector. A device that detects visible or
invisible particles of combustion. NFPA 72 3.3.66.20

Let’s break that down.

A smoke alarm is what you would purchase at your favorite box store.  You install a 9 volt battery and includes the power supply, the initiation and the notification components, all in one device.  Kidde and First Alert are common brand names of single station smoke alarms.  A smoke alarm is also what an electrician installs in a new home.  It ties into the 120 volt wiring of the home and includes a 9 volt backup battery.  The multiple station smoke alarms are configured so that, when one detector trips, all of the smoke alarms sound the notification.  These single and multiple station smoke alarms are what the Texas Fire Marshal was promoting checking the date.

A smoke detector is tied into a fire alarm system.  The fire alarm system may be part of a combination system that includes a burglar alarm system or access control system.  A smoke detector has no built in power supply, instead receiving its power from a control panel.  A smoke detector may or may not be able to produce notification if it senses smoke.  Primarily it will short contacts that tells the system to send power to notification appliances, like sirens, horns, and strobes.  Most electronic security companies, like Guard Tronic, install smoke detectors, NOT smoke alarms.

If a smoke detector is properly maintained, there is no requirement to replace them every ten years.

Want to replace your smoke alarms with smoke detectors?
Call Guard Tronic.
(800) 542-7866
info@guardtronic.com