A smoke detector, also known as a smoke alarm, is a device that detects smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Smoke detectors are usually installed in the ceiling or on a wall and are designed to sound an alarm when they detect smoke. Smoke detectors are an important part of a fire safety plan and can help to save lives by giving people time to evacuate a building in the event of a fire.
There are two main types of smoke detectors: ionization smoke detectors and photoelectric smoke detectors. Ionization smoke detectors use a radioactive element to ionize the air inside the detector. When smoke particles enter the detector, they disrupt the ionization process and trigger the alarm. Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light source and a photocell to detect smoke particles. When smoke particles enter the detector, they scatter the light and block it from reaching the photocell, which triggers the alarm.
