What is the best type of smoke alarm to purchase?
The first thing you need to look for when purchasing a smoke alarm is the CAN/ULC label on the device. The Ontario Fire Code requires that a smoke alarm meets CAN/ULC-S531 standards, indicating the device has been tested and approved by Canada Underwriters Laboratories. Both types of alarms have to pass the same tests and are designed to give adequate warning in case of fire. There are two types of smoke alarms that are available on the market: ionization and photoelectric, each detecting the presence of smoke differently. When smoke enters an ionization alarm, ionized air molecules attach to the smoke particles and reduce the ionizing current, thus triggering the alarm. When smoke enters a photoelectric alarm, light from a pulsating light source is reflected off the smoke particles onto a light sensor, activating the alarm.
