What is a Heat Detector?
A heat detector is a safety device designed to sense significant changes in temperature, often used in fire detection systems to identify fires that may not produce smoke. Unlike smoke detectors, heat detectors operate based on temperature thresholds or rate-of-rise in heat, triggering alarms when the preset levels are exceeded.
Heat detectors are commonly used in environments where smoke detectors might give false alarms, such as kitchens, garages, or dusty areas. For instance, in a kitchen, a heat detector can identify fire hazards without being triggered by cooking smoke or steam.
Two primary types of heat detectors are fixed temperature and rate-of-rise detectors. Fixed temperature detectors activate an alarm when a specific temperature (e.g., 135°F or 57°C) is reached. Rate-of-rise detectors, on the other hand, trigger an alarm when the temperature increases rapidly within a short time frame, even if the absolute temperature is below the fixed threshold.
In home automation and business security systems, heat detectors are often integrated with smart systems. This allows them to send alerts to connected devices like smartphones or monitoring services, providing real-time updates and ensuring quick responses to potential hazards.
By using heat detectors in combination with smoke detectors and other security devices, homes and businesses can achieve comprehensive fire safety and minimize the risk of damage or injury.