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(More customer reviews)Folks,
Ionization detectors DO NOT protect you. The results and test methods are false due to the fire industy's cozy relationship with smoke detector manufacturers (yes, direct kick backs, look it up) and money for lobbyists in Sacramento and Washington DC. The profit margin on ionization detectors is much higher than photoelectric. Only photoelectric (required in commercial buildings - why not residential?) WORK. 75% of ionization detectors did not sound AT ALL in smoke filled rooms lethal to humans and have failed repeated independent tests. I'm a 20 year veteran of the fire service and a paramedic. I can guarantee you will DIE from smoke inhalation before an ionization alarm EVER goes off. No one dies from being burnt, you die from asphyxiation due to smoke and poisonous gases. Read this and only buy photoelectric. There's too much information for me to go into it here. Be sure and follow the World Safety Fire Foundation link. If that doesn't convince you to go photoelectric you're playing with death. Email [...] and if you send a SASE I will send you a dvd proving much of these assertions to you. It includes a show from Canadian TV that is ILLEGAL to show in the US as well as other information. BE SAFE! My dept's Chief's message is below:
BD
Chief's Message
Warning: Your smoke alarm may not detect smoke
Currently, there is great confusion regarding the topic of smoke alarms. There are two types of smoke alarms used to protect residents in the event of a fire; photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms- both respond differently to smoke and flame.
Ionization smoke alarms react poorly to deadly smoke but faster to flames while photoelectric alarms react much faster to smoke. Ionization alarms are present in over 95% of homes in America and have a high failure rate when it comes to detecting smoke. The problem is, most deadly fires are smoldering fires and not fast flaming fires. By now, most people understand it is deadly smoke and heat that kills you before the flames even reach you. Ionization alarms should be labeled flame alarms and not smoke alarms.
An example of a fast flaming fire would be a Christmas tree fire, which certainly have claimed their share of resident's lives, but nowhere near the number of lives claimed by smoldering fires. Other fast flaming fires would be kitchen fires, which are the leading cause of residential fires, but rarely do they claim lives. I implore you to watch the following videos and audio clips: video 1, video 2, video 3, video 4 (University of Cincinnati presentation), audio clip 1.
Arguably, a greater problem with the ionization alarm is the number of false alarms it renders, thus leading to residents disconnecting the alarm all together. I must include an interesting story - a couple of years ago, with my infinite knowledge, I installed a combination ionization/photoelectric smoke alarm in my living room. Because my home is not large, the house is heated by a wood burning stove. After numerous false alarms (initiated by the invisible smoke) started by my stove, I gave up using the hush button (as it did not silence long enough) and disconnected the battery and remained disconnected until I went to bed. Finally after one season, I placed the combination alarm in my bedroom (replacing the older alarm) and placed a new photoelectric alarm in my living room. Do I need to tell you the results? Not one false alarm. So my point is, how many residents (worldwide) give up and just permanently disconnect the ionization alarm and expose themselves to a potential lethal smoldering fire? Moreover, there have been many fire deaths worldwide with working ionization smoke alarms present but failed to detect smoke. Regrettably, the fire industry has yet to take an official stand to eliminate ionization smoke alarms once and for all.
Sincerely,
Marc McGinn
Albany Fire Chief
P.S. I urge you to immediately replace your current ionization smoke alarms that do not detect smoke, with photoelectric smoke alarms, and for more extensive information please visit [...]. If you have any additional questions or need assistance I welcome your phone call at [...].
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First Alert SA720CN Smoke Alarm Photoelectric Sensor with Escape LightFeaturing state-of-the-art technology that provides you and your family with an early warning of household fire, the First Alert SA720CN Photoelectric Sensor Smoke Alarm with Escape Light is an effective device designed to be the first line of defense in your household's fire-safety plan. This UL-listed alarm detects the presence of smoke and fire, while also providing a source of light to help guide you safely outside.
WHERE TO PLACE SAFETY PRODUCTS:Smoke Alarms: 1 in every bedroom and at least 1 on every level of the home.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms: 1 on every level of the home and 1 in each sleeping area.
Fire Extinguishers: 1 on every level of the home and 1 each in the kitchen and garage.
Smoke Alarms Save LivesFire is a serious threat to every household; it can strike anywhere, any time. The frightening truth is that in 2005, there were nearly 381,000 home fires in the U.S., resulting in over 16,000 casualties. Thankfully, smoke alarms like the SA720CN help to reduce the risk of death in a household fire by up to 50 percent. The more smoke alarms you have installed in your home, the higher the chance you'll be alerted to a fire in time to escape.
Smoke/Fire Detection and Escape Light Get You to SafetyThe SA720CN smoke alarm alerts you to smoke and fire with a loud 85-decibel alarm. An escape light located right on the unit activates with the alarm and helps you see the path to safety. Many mistakenly believe that fires burn bright enough to sufficiently illuminate enclosed areas. In truth, fires often burn very dark, making it difficult for you to see a clear path out of harm's way. That's why the escape light is so vital; it provides the necessary illumination you need to get yourself and your family outside as quickly as possible.
Innovative Photoelectric Sensing Technology Detects Even Slow, Smoldering FiresThe SA720CN alarm uses photoelectric sensing technology, which is generally more sensitive than commonly used ionization technology, to detect large smoke particles. Large smoke particles tend to be produced in greater amounts by slow-to-burn fires (often caused by cigarettes burning in couches or bedding), which may smolder for hours before bursting into flame.
An added bonus, photoelectric sensing technology reduces false alarms like those caused by cooking smoke and shower steam.
As easy to operate as it is effective, the SA720CN boasts patented OptiPath technology, which provides 360-degrees of direct access to the smoke sensor. Additionally, a mute button quickly silences false alarms for up to 15 minutes and also doubles as an alarm test button.
Advanced Features Test, Protect, and Monitor Battery PowerBecause smoke alarms are only as effective as their batteries, the SA720CN comes equipped with features that protect its battery (included) and make it clear when the battery needs replaced.
First, an easy-access side battery drawer makes it a snap to change the battery without removing the alarm from the wall or ceiling. A blinking power indicator confirms that the unit is receiving power, and an alarm will chirp once per minute when the battery needs to be replaced.
Additionally, a battery-guard drawer resists closing unless the battery is inside, and an optional theft-prevention lock secures the alarm when activated, so that the battery and/or alarm cannot be removed without proper tools, preventing children or others from compromising the alarm's ability to detect smoke and fire.
The SA720CN comes with a 10-year limited warranty.
What's in the BoxSmoke alarm, user's manual, and nine-volt battery.
Get 45% OFF
Click here for more information about First Alert SA720CN Smoke Alarm Photoelectric Sensor with Escape Light
