The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology

(NIST) report detectable quantities of smoke precede a detectable level of heat in nearly all fires. Fires
which develop slowly may not increase the room temperature, but nearly always release toxic gases and
products of combustion. Note most residential fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation and rarely
from the heat generated.
Tests by the NIST found that "heat detectors" failed to respond to most fires "in time to allow escape"
and when they did respond they were slower in response time than smoke detectors located some
distance from the fire.
Smoke detectors should be an essential element in any home fire protection system. Heat detectors, on
the other hand, offer some additional protection if located in areas such as the kitchen or an attached
garage where smoke from cooking or dust could cause false alarms from a smoke detector. Heat
detectors are also preferred in areas where periodic testing and maintenance could be a problem, as
they require much less "care" than smoke detectors. "Combination" heat and smoke detectors are more
reliable.