There are no second chances when it comes to the lives of you and your family.

Properly maintained smoke detectors are essential in ensuring their safety. 

There are two types of smoke detectors: Ionization and Photoelectric

What Is an Ionization Smoke Detector?

The first smoke detector type, ionization alarms are generally more responsive to a flaming fire (for instance, when a lit candle tips over and ignites a curtain), according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These alarms use “ions,” or electrically charged particles, to help detect smoke in the air.

What Is a Photoelectric Smoke Detector?

The second type of smoke detector is photoelectric, which uses a light beam to help detect the presence of smoke. According to NFPA, these alarm types are more effective at sounding when a fire originates from a smoldering source, like a lit cigarette that falls into a couch cushion. Smoldering fires may fill a home with dangerous gases before a fire ever erupts.

Because no one can know when a fire will occur or what type of fire they will have in their home, virtually every recognized fire authority and safety expert – including the International association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) – recommend having both photoelectric and ionization alarms for optimal protection against flaming and smoldering fires.

Smoke Detector Services follows the aforementioned recommendations and is equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms, as well as carbon monoxide detectors for your families safety.

Interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors alert all areas of the home simultaneously, alerting everyone of the danger. 

In 1988 BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI model building codes begin requiring smoke alarms to be Interconnected and located in all sleeping rooms. In 1989 NFPA 74 was updated and required smoke alarms to be interconnected in all new home construction. In 1993, NFPA 72 first required that smoke alarms be placed in all bedrooms.

All Interconnected smoke detectors should be synced in order for them to have the ability to communicate with one another so that when one sounds, they all sound. Are ALL of your detectors interconnected? Smoke Detector Services syncs all of your detectors, including your carbon monoxide detectors.

How many detectors do you have in your home? Do you know where they are?

The average home today has 6 detectors!

Do you have enough? Are they placed in the most effective areas of your home? Upon our initial visit to your home we will check for:

• A smoke detector in each sleeping room
• A smoke detector outside of each sleeping area (ex: a common hallway)
• A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home
• A smoke detector at the highest point in your home (vaulted ceilings)

How old is your home? When is the last time that you replaced your smoke detector- not just the batteries?

Did you know that a smoke detector only has a life span of 10 years from its manufactured date? No need to worry- we will check the dates on EVERY detector  in your home to ensure that they are within the manufacturers suggested service life!

Smoke Detector Services uses Firex smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms manufactured by Kidde.  All Kidde smoke detectors comply with following authorities:

• Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
• California State Fire Marshal
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Federal Housing Authority (FHA)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

SDS only uses Kidde recommended Energizer batteries in all detectors.