Whether at work or at home, having a functional fire alarm in place is a crucial safety element. Additionally, having the right type of fire detection system is also important, as some alarms are more effective in specific environments. If you’re searching for a fire detection system for your home or business, the following information can point you in the right direction. 

3 Types of Fire Alarms to Protect Your Home or Business

1. Heat

As hot air rises during a fire, a heat detector senses the rise in temperature and gives a warning as a result. Because they are prone to giving false alarms based on elevated air temperatures, they’re not ideal for any environments that are overly humid. However, sparsely occupied buildings are often well-suited for heat alarms, since it typically takes them longer to detect fires than other types.

2. Ionization

Some fires will burn faster than others, particularly when there is a large amount of flammable material in the area. In this case, an ionization detector is a good option because it can quickly detect a fire, which is essential to ensure a timely evacuation. The device is alerted via an electrical current, which is disrupted when smoke enters the inner chamber of the detector.

3. Photoelectric

If you’re looking for reliability, a photoelectric alarm can be a good choice. This detector relies on the principle of light refraction to operate; as a room becomes filled with smoke or gas, the light will become scattered and subsequently trigger the alarm. They are extremely effective at recognizing smoldering fires, which can be hard to detect using other methods. They are also less likely to give off false alarms based on their reading of light refraction. 

If you’re not sure which type of fire alarm best suits your needs, the experts at GMW Fire Protection can help you make the right choice. As a trusted fire safety company in Anchorage for more than 15 years, they provide a variety of products and services dedicated to keeping your home or business safeguarded against the risk of fire. If you’d like to speak with a representative about fire alarms systems, call (907) 336-5000. You can also visit their website to see the complete listing of products and services, including fire extinguishers and emergency lighting equipment.