About Heat Detectors

A heat detector is a fire alarm device designed to respond when the convected thermal energy of a fire increases the temperature of a heat sensitive element. The thermal mass and conductivity of the element regulate the rate flow of heat into the element. All heat detectors have this thermal lag. Heat detectors have two main classifications of operation, "rate-of-rise" and "fixed temperature."

Rate-of-Rise (ROR) heat detectors operate on a rapid rise in element temperature of 12° to 15°F (6.7° to 8.3°C) increase per minute, irrespective of the starting temperature. This type of heat detector can operate at a lower temperature fire condition than would be possible if the threshold were fixed. Rate of rise detectors may not respond to low energy release rates of slowly developing fires. To detect slowly developing fires combination detectors add a fixed temperature element that will ultimately respond when the fixed temperature element reaches the design threshold.

About Smoke Detectors

Most smoke detectors work either by optical detection (photoelectric) or by physical process (ionization), while others use both detection methods to increase sensitivity to smoke.

Optical smoke detectors use a beam of light with a sensor located outside of the beam. When smoke enters the beam the light is scattered in to the sensor and sets off the alarm.

An ionization smoke detector can detect particles of smoke that are too small to be visible. A small amount of a radio active element and 2 electrodes in an ionization chamber. The electrodes pass a small current between them. When smoke particles enter the ionization chamber they disrupt the current setting off the alarm.

Our Smoke Detectors

At 1st Defense Security having the best protection for our customers is the most important feature of our equipment. Our smoke detector is both a ROR and Optical detector.

The ROR detects most fires faster than fixed temperature heat detectors. The Optical smoke detector has far fewer false alarms than it's ionization counterpart and is faster at detecting the smoke that is produced from smoldering.

With both of these feature built in you get the best of both worlds for the fastest detection of any kind of fire. Whether it is a slow smoldering cigarette on your couch or a fast moving fire from a knocked over candle you know our detectors will respond quickly so you can get out and the authorities can be dispatched.

When a fire happens the last thing on most peoples mind is calling 911. When our smoke detector goes off we will make that call for you while you and your family head for safety.