Kidde Australia

Smoke Alarms

currently listed with the

CSIRO ActivFire Scheme

Data extracted 23 April, 2009 from: www.ActivFire.com.au

Smoke Alarms
Q) What is the difference between an Ionisation alarm and a photoelectric alarm?

! Ionisation technology is sensitive to detecting fast flaming and other fires which produce small
particles of smoke such as those produced by: burning paper / wood / flammable liquids.

! Photoelectric technology is sensitive to detecting slow smouldering and other fires which produce
larger particles of smoke such as those produced by: burning foam / rubber / synthetic materials.
These types of fires can smoulder for hours before bursting into flames.

Kidde strongly recommends that both ionisation and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed to
help ensure maximum detection of the various types of fires that can occur within the home.

Data extracted 23 April, 2009 from:

Data extracted 23 April, 2009 from: www.ActivFire.com.au