Published November 28, 2017

What is the difference between a heat detector and a smoke detector? This question comes up all the time in our industry. There is many people who think they accomplish the same thing which is detect fire. While this is true there is a big difference between the two.

Smoke Detector

Smoke Detectors are designed to protect people and buildings during the early signs of fire. Some fires do not accumulate a flame until after it has been burning for awhile. While there is no flame to indicate a fire there is smoke. Smoke or poisonous fumes are the leading cause of harm during a fire. This makes smoke detectors crucial for homes and occupied businesses.

Heat Detector

Heat Detectors are designed to sense temperature change cause by fire. Fire causes detrimental damage to buildings. Detecting fire heat is very important to make sure a fire does not get out of control. Heat detectors are mostly for buildings where the building is the main concern.

Why do we still see Heat Detectors?

You might wonder why we still use heat detectors if smoke detectors are meant to protect people? Heat detectors are used when the primary focus is building protection. In some cases heat detectors are also used because of the low cost, and the reliability against extreme conditions. Also, they are often used to trigger fire sprinkler systems or fire suppression systems. If a smoke detector was hooked up to a sprinkler system it could trigger the water during a false alarm, and water damage your building.

A smoke detectors’ mentality is to go into alarm at the first sign of smoke. If you were to compare a smoke detector and a heat detector, the smoke detector would always be the one to “cry wolf”. As I’m sure you know (from the smoke detectors in your home) they are known to make false alarms.

Are false alarms worth having a smoke detector in a residence?

Yes. Yes. One hundred percent yes. It is not only law to have smoke detectors throughout your home, but our expert opinion. Early detection is crucial in homes. Like we discussed earlier smoke is almost always the culprit of harm during fires. It only takes one inhale to cause damage to your respiratory system. Our bodies need oxygen to function.

If there is a fire that means that fire is burning the oxygen, and creating smoke from the things the fire is burning. That fire can burn many things in your home that results in smoke. Smoke can in turn contain poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and cyanide. If you are breathing the smoke or poisonous gases you will pass out, or worse die in a just a few minutes. Fire is no joke and the faster you can detect fire the safer you will be.

Are there hybrids of smoke detectors and heat detectors?

There are definite pluses to both detectors. So naturally you want both! Shield Fire & Security can get you both in one detector. They are called smoke/heat detectors. I know what you are thinking. Why would I go into detail about smoke detectors versus heat detectors if there’s one that does both jobs? Well, I want you to know that there are detectors out there that don’t do both. I want you to be educated on the product you are buying for the protection of your family and business. In an emergency you are going to really appreciate a detector that does the job you set out for it to do.

“I’m good, I already have smoke detectors.”

Ideally, I want you to contact us at Shield Fire & Security so that way you definitely get the right detector for you, and you don’t have false assumptions on what the detector can do. I want you to contact us so we can monitor this detector for you 24/7. In the event of a fire not only will your detector go into an alarm, but you will also be notified and have the authorities called. Notification of a fire is very important when you are not home.

I’m not trying to scare you, but really think about that for a second. What would happen if you were not home during a fire? How would you know? You wouldn’t. You would need to depend on neighbors to call the authorities. Who would know you have children or pets inside? They wouldn’t. You are the first person that should know there is a fire in your home and/or business. You are the best person to help authorities stop a fire.

“I want monitored smoke/heat detectors.”

Contact a fire security specialist at Shield Fire & Security 702-570-6221 or contact us here. Fire security is one of the most important services we offer. We find fire security so important that we put “fire” in our name. Shield installs a smoke detectors, heat sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire alarm in your home or business.

 

Did you know that there is one home fire every 90 seconds?

Find out more fire facts on NFPA site: http://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Fire-statistics/Fires-in-the-US