DESIGN

Optical Smoke Detector

1: Optical chamber
2: Cover
3: Case moulding

4: Photodiode (detector)
5: Infrared LED

Optical Smoke Detector with the cover removed

SENSORS:
An optical detector is a light sensor. The components of the light sensor are
the light source (incandescent bulb or Light-emitting diode), a lens, and a
photoelectric receiver (typically a photodiode). In spot-type detectors, all of these
components are arranged inside a smoke chamber where smoke from a nearby
fire will flow. In large open areas such as atria and auditoriums, optical beam
smoke detectors are used. A wall-mounted unit emits a beam of infrared or
ultraviolet light which is either received and processed by a separate device or
reflected back to the transmitter/receiver by a reflector.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), "photoelectric
smoke detection is generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long
period of smoldering (called smoldering fires)." Also, studies by Texas A&M and
the NFPA cited by the City of Palo Alto California state, "Photoelectric alarms
react slower to rapidly growing fires than ionization alarms, but laboratory and
field tests have shown that photoelectric smoke alarms provide adequate
warning for all types of fires and have been shown to be far less likely to be
deactivated by occupants."
Although optical alarms are highly effective at detecting smoldering fires
and do provide adequate protection from flaming fires, fire safety experts and the

National Fire Protection Agency recommend installing what are called

combination alarms, which are alarms that either detect both heat and smoke, or
use both the ionization and photoelectric / optical processes. Also some
combination alarms may include a carbon monoxide detection capability.
Not all optical detection methods are the same. The type and sensitivity of
light source and photoelectric sensor, and type of smoke chamber differ between
manufacturers.
CARBON MONOXIDE AND CARBON DIOXIDE DETECTION:

Some smoke alarms use a carbon dioxide sensor or Carbon monoxide

sensor to detect characteristic products of combustion. However, some gas
sensors react on levels that are dangerous for humans but not typical for a fire;
these are therefore not generally sensitive or fast enough to be used as fire
detectors. Other gas sensors are even able to warn about particulate-free fires
(e. g. certain alcohol fires).

PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCES:

Photoelectric smoke detectors respond faster (typically 30 minutes or more)

to fire in its early, smouldering stage (before it breaks into flame). The smoke
from the smouldering stage of a fire is typically made up of large combustion
particles between 0.3 and 10.0 m. Ionization smoke detectors respond faster
(typically 3060 seconds) in the flaming stage of a fire. The smoke from the
flaming stage of a fire is typically made up of microscopic combustion particles
between 0.01 and 0.3 m. Also, ionization detectors are weaker in high air-flow
environments, and because of this, the photoelectric smoke detector is more
reliable for detecting smoke in both the smoldering and flaming stages of a fire.
RELIABILITY:

In 2004, NIST issued a comprehensive report that concludes, among other

things, that "smoke alarms of either the ionization type or the photoelectric type
consistently provided time for occupants to escape from most residential fires",
and "consistent with prior findings, ionization type alarms provided somewhat
better response to flaming fires than photoelectric alarms (57 to 62 seconds
faster response), and photoelectric alarms provided (often) considerably faster

response to smoldering fires than ionization type alarms (47 to 53 minutes faster
response)".
The NFPA strongly recommends the replacement of home smoke alarms
every 10 years. Smoke alarms become less reliable with time, primarily due to
aging of their electronic components, making them susceptible to nuisance false
alarms. In ionization type alarms, decay of the 241Am radioactive source is a
negligible factor, as its half-life is far greater than the expected useful life of the
alarm unit.
Regular cleaning can prevent false alarms caused by the buildup of dust or
other objects such as flies, particularly on optical type alarms as they are more
susceptible to these factors. A vacuum cleaner can be used to clean ionization
and optical detectors externally and internally. However, on commercial ionization
detectors it is not recommended for a lay person to clean internally. To reduce
false alarms caused by cooking fumes, use an optical or 'toast proof' alarm near
the kitchen.