While smoke detectors are more sensitive to detecting smoke, heat detectors are more sensitive to temperature. This means a heat detector (which is a ceiling-mounting initiating device) will trigger when the temperature near the unit reaches a certain level, but will not trigger due to smoke alone.
A common question we get when selling fire protection is – where do I install a heat detector? As a rule of thumb, heat detectors should be used in an area where smoke detectors are not appropriate, and in an area that generally does not get hot. In addition, it’s not a good idea to place a heat detector in a humid place, as this may prevent heat from reaching the heat detector sensor. That being said, heat detectors may not work properly in bathrooms, or near washing machines, dishwashers, window molding, heating or cooling ducts and air returns. Do not place heat detectors in rooms where the temperature may rise above 100 degrees F or drop below minus 10 degrees F, such as an attic or garage.
Heat Detectors are available in a variety of models that are generally grouped into fixed temperature, rate of rise, and combined technology. Home Security Store sells heat detectors which the user wires to the control panel (a 2 wire process). Therefore, when a certain level of heat is detected, the unit sends a signal to the panel for processing. The panel will then trigger an alarm and notify your monitoring station (where applicable).
Please note – Heat detectors ARE NOT meant to replace smoke detectors in the bedrooms or in the hallway outside of the bedrooms. You should test your heat detector(s) every 3 months or every time you test the smoke detectors in your home.
