What is the Difference Between Alarms and Detectors?
Alarms and detectors are used interchangeably when most consumers are searching for smoke and carbon monoxide protection devices. While they are both safety equipment to help when there is an emergency, these two devices are actually different.
In this blog we will discuss the difference between an alarm and a detector. Hopefully by the end of the blog you will better understand the difference between the two.
Alarms
An alarm is a safety device that uses a sensor to detect hazards and a speaker to alert occupants. Most alarms have a built-in piezo type sounder used to alert anyone in the area. When there is a hazard, the initial alarm will sound along with any other connecting alarm.
You'll find alarms in residential applications to comply with national and local building codes. There are two main types of alarms serving different purposes. These two alarms are smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms detect a harmful amount of smoke and alert occupants of the hazard. A smoke alarm combines a smoke detector and an audible alarm.
Smoke alarms are fire protection devices that are perfect for homes and buildings. A benefit of using smoke alarms in your home is their early detection and immediate alerts. The early warning detection helps to alert occupants to leave the premises before a potential fire spreads.
Correctly placing smoke alarms is important so they can work at their full potential. It is highly recommended to place smoke alarms on every level in the home, inside bathrooms and outside sleeping areas. Following these guidelines allows everyone to hear the alarm all around the house.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
A carbon monoxide alarm detects carbon monoxide and provides an early warning about the harmful gas. CO alarms work by measuring the amount of carbon monoxide in the air. If the alarm detects CO levels too high, then it will alert the occupants in the home to leave the premises.
Like smoke alarms, the placement of CO alarms is very important. Occupants should install them on each level and in bedrooms and sleeping areas.
Knox Safety's 7000 series alarms from Rely are some of the newest carbon monoxide alarms on the market. Knox Safety offers lithium battery operated and backup battery CO alarms. These alarms are different because of three important features:
- TRIO Warning System (Alert, Inform, Detect)
- Bilingual Voice Alert Settings
- Low-Level Detection
Read more about Rely Safety's carbon monoxide alarms here.
It is important to note that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are manufactured to meet national fire safety standards. One of the standards looks to remove false alarms, also known as nuisance alarms.
Even though alarms are independent from systems, they still need detectors to know when to alert occupants. However, detectors do not need alarms to alert the alarm system.
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Detectors
Detectors differ from alarms as they are only sensing devices to detect potential hazards. Detectors are part of a system that is typically a fire alarm or security control panel. When the detector senses a hazard, it signals to the control panel. The control panel then makes a decision on what the next steps are for sounding an alarm.
Since detectors pair with control panels, they are typically found in commercial buildings. This is so they comply with national and local building codes.
One of the most common detectors is the smoke detector. They are great for smoke and fire hazards. Smoke detectors are components of a fire alarm system.
Smoke detectors work by detecting smoke and alerting the fire alarms system. Then, the system decides how to alert occupants.
The technology is also another difference between alarms and detectors. There are two different technologies that detectors can use. These technologies are ionization and photoelectric.
Ionization
An ionization smoke detector is more reactive to flaming fires. These detectors work by having two electrically charged plates ionize the air. This allows current to flow between the plates. However, when smoke enters the device, the flow messes up and leads to the activation of the fire alarm system.
Shop USI's ionization battery powered smoke detector at HomElectrical!
Photoelectric
A photoelectric smoke detector is more reactive to smoldering fires. These detectors work by aiming a light into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. When smoke enters the device, the light is reflected on the light sensor and triggers the fire alarm system.
In Summary
While the terms alarms and detectors are used interchangeably, they serve different functions. Alarms need signals from a detector to work. But, the reverse isn't true. Hopefully, this blog helped you see that they are very much so different.
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USI Electric's AMI Series smoke and fire alarm uses Sensing Plus Multi-Criteria Detection Technology to identify smoke and fire and prevent nuisance alarms. This alarm exceeds standards and some models can even detect carbon monoxide.
Knox Safety offers two models of Carbon Monoxide alarms, the DC-powered Model 7000 and the AC-powered Model 7200, both featuring a 10-year lithium battery, TRIO warning system, bilingual settings, and low-level CO detection. These alarms are designed for various settings, including homes, restaurants, and universities, and comply with UL 2034, NFPA 720, and CSFM standards.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a hazardous gas from incomplete fuel burning, leading to poisoning and necessitating safety laws for CO detectors in homes. These laws vary by state, with most requiring CO alarms in new constructions and some during property sales or renovations.
The three main types of smoke detectors are photoelectric, ionization, and dual sensing. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages in protecting your home from fast flaming and slow smoldering fires.
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