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Dear Firebugged:
As the old saying goes, there's no smoke without fire. Not only does the law require you to have a functioning smoke alarm, but it may well save your life. Fire is the third leading cause of accidental death, behind motor-vehicle accidents and falls, according to the Canada Safety Council. Approximately 85% of fire deaths occur in residential property, and most deaths are due to smoke inhalation, not burns.
Basically, there are two types of smoke detectors: photoelectric and ionization chamber. The photoelectric version has a photoelectric bulb that emits a beam of light. The alarm is triggered when smoke particles reflect the light from the beam into a photocell. This type of device is best at detecting smoldering fires, like those caused by a burning cigarette left on a mattress or an upholstered chair.
The ionization chamber smoke detector contains a small radiation source that produces electrically charged air molecules called ions. The ions allow a small electric current to flow in the chamber. When smoke particles enter the chamber, they attach themselves to the ions, reducing the flow of electric current and setting off the alarm. This kind of detector is best suited for sensing the presence of flaming fires that produce little visible smoke.
Whichever version you buy -- and you may want to get both -- be sure it has been approved, either by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
As far as the power source, alarms can be either battery-powered or "hardwired" into the electric system by a qualified electrician. There are pros and cons to each. If you are using a battery-powered model, you must make sure that the battery is charged. The hardwired version, on the other hand, does not require batteries. However, if the power source is cut off for any reason, the alarm would not work. Therefore, if you have a hardwired alarm, you may wish to have a battery-powered model as a backup. There is no one ideal solution, so play it safe and get both. Because smoke rises, alarms must be installed on or near the ceiling, between the living and sleeping areas of the residence. In multi-storied homes, they must be located on the ceilings of stairwells between floor levels. Be sure you clean your smoke alarms at least once a year, and replace batteries regularly. A good time to check that everything is working is when you're changing your clocks in the spring and again in the fall. Remember, a poorly maintained smoke detector, like yours, does more harm than good, as it creates a false sense of security.
So get charged up and sound the alarm for fire safety!
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