Smart Alarm System with Camera
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Smoke Sensor
A smoke sensor is a device fitted to smoke alarms. A smoke alarm is designed to detect the presence of smoke in a home to alert the occupants that a fire has broken out. A smoke alarm contains not only a smoke sensor but also a loud audible alarm (85 decibels on average) to alert people in the home. Detecting the smoke from a fire and sounding the alarm enables the occupants to get out and alert the fire service quickly. In fact, installing a smoke sensor is vitally important and can save lives.How does a smoke alarm work?
In a smoke alarm, the smoke sensor is designed to detect suspicious smoke. Although ionisation chamber smoke alarms are available, they're not permitted for use in private residences because they contain a radioactive component. The only smoke alarms currently authorised for domestic use are optical alarms (also called photoelectric smoke alarms).- How does optical detection work?
Although the optical detection process may vary depending on the product used, it always involves capturing variations in a light signal emitted by a diode. A linear optical smoke alarm detects any change in light intensity between the diode and the photoelectric sensor. Other smoke alarms reverse the process: the light signal is pointed next to a photoelectric cell and if this signal is dispersed by the smoke, the optical sensor perceives the light and the alarm is triggered.
- Powering a smoke alarm
The choice of battery is important, as it affects the price of the smoke alarm. A product that has a lithium battery is more expensive than a device powered by alkaline batteries, although it is safer (there's no danger of it not working when the battery runs out) and can be less expensive in the long run taking into account the price of replacement batteries over the lifespan of a product with alkaline batteries.
It's also worth noting that all smoke alarms are designed to operate continuously: they alert you when the battery is running out, while products connected via a cable contain a backup battery in case there is a power cut. Discover all our products
Why install a smoke alarm in your home?
A smoke alarm is an essential product for protecting your home from fire.- Smoke alarms are mandatory
All owners of a residence are therefore required to fit a smoke alarm. If an apartment is rented, the tenant and owner must both make sure that the smoke alarm is compliant and working properly when the check-in inventory takes place. It's then up to the tenant to maintain the device, regularly check that it works and change the batteries.
- The risk of domestic fires
When a fire starts, it's often necessary to react very quickly. A fire spreads rapidly and the toxic smoke gradually saturates the air, causing asphyxia. That's why early detection of smoke is essential for giving the home's occupants enough time to get out and alert the emergency services.
- A smoke alarm can alert you during the day or night
It's a common misconception that the smoke, smell, heat or noise from a fire is enough to wake up a person. A fire produces highly toxic smoke that poses a danger well before the effects of the fire (heat, noise) wake up someone who's asleep. A smoke alarm significantly increases your chance of being alerted in time and exiting the building.
Installing a smoke alarm
You don't need any special skills to install a smoke alarm and the process is very quick. Nevertheless, it's important to carefully choose where you position a fire detection device to make sure it's working properly, both in terms of detecting smoke and ensuring the alarm can be heard properly throughout your home.- Installing a smoke alarm
The position of a smoke alarm is also crucial for making sure your home is safe. Ideally, place it on the ceiling (smoke tends to rise due to its heat) at least 60 cm from the walls. If you can't install your smoke sensor on the ceiling, place it on a wall at a height, near the ceiling.
This stage of the installation is crucial. Take your time to determine the right position for your smoke alarm. The safety of the people in your home in case of a fire depends on it. If it's incorrectly positioned, your smoke alarm might detect smoke too late and not give you enough time to exit your home or the alert the fire service.
If your home has a large surface area or several floors, remember to install several smoke sensors at different strategic locations in your home and at least one on each floor. You can also install a smoke alarm in your garage or cellar so that you'll be alerted if a fire breaks out in these areas.
- Choosing the right smoke alarm
Some of the most sophisticated products in terms of safety include smart smoke alarms. A smart smoke alarm works in a similar way to a standard device: if a sensor detects the presence of smoke in the home, an audible alarm is triggered to alert the occupants. However, a smart smoke alarm also alerts you directly on your smartphone (and also warns other members of your family who you've linked to the smoke alarm using the management app). This alerts you even if you're away from home, enabling you to call the emergency services from where you're working or staying while on holiday.
The Netatmo Smart Smoke Alarm also offers other very useful features, such as the automatic operation test, which regularly checks that the smoke alarm is working properly, and the battery alert, which notifies you when the smart smoke alarm needs to be replaced.