Point Type Smoke Detector

The phrase ‘Point Type’ Detector refers to the standard ceiling mounted detector which is shaped roughly like a cone, where the base of the cone contains the sensors for the detector.

Smoke detection is ideal for the vast majority of fire risks and applications, from offices and comms rooms through to warehousing.  There are two main types of point type smoke detector – Ionisation and Optical detection.

Ionization Detectors – have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and triggering the detector.  Ionization detectors are ideal for detecting fast flaming fires.

Optical Detectors – use an internal light source within the detector to monitor levels of obscuration to detect the presence of smoke.  They are excellent for detecting smoldering fires.