Photoelectric smoke detectors are hard-wired into a home and are better at sensing smoldering fires. Ionization smoke detectors usually run on 9-volt batteries and better sense flaming fires.

Ionization detectors are the most common type of alarm. They sense fast-moving, flaming fires. "A flaming fire would be like a kitchen fire… something that flames up quicker," Vassar said.

Ionization smoke detectors are the most common and detect fast or flaming fires first. "Most fires that occur in homes are fast flame type fires," said Assistant Chief Jack Spurgeon.

An ionization detector is more sensitive to smaller particles of smoke produced by fast-flaming fires than photoelectric alarms, making it prone to false alarms in the kitchen.

Smoke detector types Most household smoke detectors employ either an ionization or photoelectric (optical) sensor to detect a fire. Each uses a different method to sense the presence of smoke ...

Smoke detector types Most household smoke detectors employ either an ionization or photoelectric (optical) sensor to detect a fire. Each uses a different method to sense the presence of smoke ...

New York Post Shopping rounded up the 9 best smoke detectors of 2023, along with expert tips on what to know before shopping for one. Here are the top picks.

Microchip Technology is offering a unique ASSP for residential and commercial safety applications. The RE46C180 is a single-chip ionization smoke detector device that allows the design of an ...

Firefighters say the ionization smoke alarms didn’t go off even though the building was filled with smoke. As part of the investigation, the detectors were checked and found to be working.

The smoke detector was an ionization smoke detector - like those in 90 percent of American homes - that have been shown to react slowly in the presence of smoldering fires.