Electronic Heat Detectors     Electronic Heat Detectors are powered by the fire protection panel.   These electronic heat detectors usually have LED's ( light emitting diodes) which indicates the status of the device.  A solid red light usually inidcates that device is in a alarm condition.  A blinking LED usually indicates a normal condition.  LED's help qualified technicians locate the electronic heat detector that either caused a alarm condtion or caused a false fire alarm condition.  These LED's also help home owners and tenants by allowing them to accurately pinpoint the area where the false fire alarm condition originated from. Electronic Heat detectors are designed to protect property not people! Never use a electronic heat detector as a sole fire protection device in a home. Electronic Heat detectors are usually used in garages, kitchens, storage rooms, etc. These being areas where a fire could be fueled by a flammable source such as gasoline, grease, etc. False Alarms caused by heat detectors are usually due to improper installation or mechanical issues.  Consult a professional if you don't know why your heat detectors are causing false alarms.

Electronic Heat detectors offer protection in areas such as kitchens, saunas and garages where the environment is dirty or smoky under normal conditions or where there is a high presence of airborne particles such as water vapour or exhaust fumes. Heat detectors are usually used in "non heated" areas I.E. storage rooms,  mechanical rooms, etc. False alarms generated by heat detectors are more often then not the result of improper installation and/or a change in the environment.  When properly installed heat detectors will respond only when a fire is well-established and generating a high heat output.

How Electronic Heat Detectors Work

Heat detectors operate by measuring air temperature. Heat detectors are slow in comparison in detecting a fire alarm condition. They are used in conjunction with other fire protection devices. I.E. Smoke Detectors.  Heat detectors are recognized by industry professionals as being effective in fire detection from fuel fed fires.  The NFAC states:

"While Chapter 8 does not require heat detectors as part of the basic protection scheme, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional heat detectors for the same reasons presented under A-8-1.2.1 (c). The additional areas lending themselves to protection with heat detectors are the kitchen, dining room, attic, (finished or unfinished), furnace room, utility room, basement, and integral or attached garage. For bedrooms, the installation of a smoke detector is recommended over the installation of a heat detector for protection of the occupants from fires in their bedrooms."

Section A-8-1.2.4 (b)
The National Fire Alarm Code

Fixed Temperature Heat Detectors

These heat detectors are designed to go into alarm at a fixed temperature. For example, a 135 degree fixed heat detector would go into a alarm condition at 135 degrees or higher. A fixed heat detector could be used in areas where air temperature changes dramatically without a fire condition being present.   Heat detectors come in many temperature settings..

Fixed heat detectors are usually installed in non residential settings. For example, a fixed heat detector would be the appropriate kind of detector for a large commercial kitchen area.  Commercial kitchen areas are known for rapid temperature changes and a rate of rise detector would generate a false alarm. For example,  if a heat detector is installed near a perimeter door where cold air would enter when opened. The temperature in that kitchen could drop significantly in a matter of a few minutes.  When the commerical oven is opened the air temperature rises dramaticially and trips the heat detector setting off the fire alarm system. That is why heat detectors must be at a fixed trigger point.  Only a qualified technician should install and design fire alarm systems.

Rate of Rise Heat Detectors

Rate of Rise heat detectors are triggered by rapid changes in air temperature.

A fuel fed fire would best be detected by a rate of rise heat detector.  These rate of rise detectors are designed to go into a alarm when the air temperature rises ( heats up) faster then a normal condition would permit. For example, a rate of rise heat detector is best suited for areas where combustible fuels are present. i.e. Garages , auto repair facilities, wood shops, residential mechancial areas, storage room areas, paint facilities, etc.