Smoke Detectors 101 | Consumer Reports

Your life depends on a smoke detector actually detecting smoke. Consumer Reports’ expert explains what you need to know when purchasing these life-saving devices.
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[@Rhio734]

Yes, this may indeed be a smoke detector but it has many purposes example: in our house hold, it tells us when dinner is ready!

[@koolenboer]

Greatest comment ever :-)

[@kylehill3643]

@@koolenboer Burger time?

[@JoePina0]

Haha!

[@nurseae4586]

Who is cooking I mean incinerating 😄

[@supertornadogun1690]

Sounds like you might want to get a different smoke detector

[@FourTortoise104]

The acting... Jesus, take the wheel.

[@freddapelter8332]

Thank you!! So many people do not know there is a difference.

[@mangisda]

A man whose job is to prevent a house from burning is named Bernie.

[@x25__]

One of the marketing people in a fire-alarm company I used to work at is named David Burns.

[@nrakma]

All Smoke Detectors should have a PATH light. Lights saves lives.

[@idmhead0160]

That would cost the company an extra 15 cents. Then, they wouldn't be able to afford to pay the CEO hundreds of millions of dollars

[@optimummr1609]

Nest protect is the one for you my friend.

[@gregschwartz6886]

When will they make a hard-wired smokie that charges the battery so you don't have to replace it as often?

[@Muonium1]

Never, because rechargeable batteries have a finite lifetime that's invariably shorter than the now standard, sealed, 10 year non-replaceable lithium metal primary cell battery-powered units in every store everywhere. After 10 years it's recommended to replace them due to increased likelihood of electronic component failure anyway, so there is no incentive to make longer-lived battery powered throwaway units at this point.

[@Fredengle]

I think its possible that some countries already have that or a similar technology

[@noobdisaster]

Two detectors: dual sensor and carbon monoxide. Gotcha!

[@kylehill3643]

You forgot it's third purpose! Dinner!

[@Team.Louish]

He reminds me of Keegan-Michael Key, even sometimes acts like him.

[@kylehill3643]

In the end regardless of local laws it doesn't really matter how you setup your alarm|(s) as long as they are functional during a fire that's what counts and you at least have 1 that sounds they'll be happy when you sell or need fire insurance.

[@producerk8247]

Not a good test when the source is right below the detectors. Try again.

[@zakarycavenaugh9667]

Smoke detectors have over a 35% chance of failure. Store bought CO goes off at 400 ppm, and the lethal amount starts at 150 ppm

[@acamelwholikescoke4641]

Is this true?

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

@@acamelwholikescoke4641 Only one way to test it.

[@CassetteMaster]

In truth, there are two types of photoelectric, one, that uses smoke blocking light shining at a sensor, and the other, which reflects light onto a sensor. Then the ionization uses radioactive material to ionize a chamber of air, allowing a tiny electric current to pass. Once smoke enters it, it disrupts the current flow, thus triggering the alarm.

[@notdisclosed]

I wish they made more detectors that used AA batteries. I also wish they had some with adjustable volume. Not all of us are deaf or need our hearing damaged from false alarms.

[@kylehill3643]

I agree and have the volume be overridden when an actual full alarm occurs.

[@idmhead0160]

Yeah, I can't stand the connectors on 9 volt

[@joannestealey4482]

Also it helps to keep bugs away from it

[@Steve_in_NJ]

I used to have CO/Smoke Detector units in my house -- one of the many false CO detections brought my local Fire Dept to my house and they said combo units are the WORST so we have separate units now. Oh, and don't forget that Ionization fire detectors MUST BE REPLACED every 10 years (the radioactive isotope has a shelf life)!

[@001looker]

i do not have any smoke detectors in my house. This way I do no have to replace anything

[@TheCowboy4000]

We shit I just bought a combination one from Kidde. The house that my mom and I are renting had smoke detectors 21 years old!! 😠 I about died. Well I went and bought the dual sensor smoke alarms and I'm taking it out of the rent. That's bullshit that they are that old. We don't even have a carbon monoxide alarm.

[@neilbrookins8428]

Steven S: 432 years is the half life for Americium used in the ionization alarm. So after 10 years it’s still almost all still there. This is not the reason you should replace the alarms after 10 years. But there are other reasons it’s still a good idea to replace.

[@36ELGALAN]

@@001looker Brilliant.!!! Do you still have your house

[@idmhead0160]

@@TheCowboy4000 Yes, it's BS that the landlord didn't maintain those. And they should pay you back. You aren't allowed to deduct it from the rent though. I was just reading the rental laws the other day and read that.

[@CapsLock33]

thanks for the review.

[@zachg9065]

“What if a fire happens right in front of your eyes” it’s not real until the smoke detector says so

[@TamNguyen-nz5lv]

WOW THANK YOU🎉

[@FIyingDumpling]

Photoelectric alarm with CO detector

[@steveseattle6791]

"It's a dangerous test" - I can't take seriously any advice from people that think lighting 10 sheets of paper is 'get out of the room' dangerous. Home owners buy smoke detectors, not 8 year olds.

[@JesusHHernandez]

This reminds me of the SmartPipe infomercial

[@unumprovident101]

We used to have a General Electric Home Sentry smoke alarm and I hated the sound it made

[@rafaelontiveros7450]

Good information, pretty much vital information, definitely a must share video.

[@Dailymailnewz]

What about the main power unit where there is a stop and start red button at the very base somewhere?

[@mattdude]

I didn’t know Keegan Michael key got a job with consumer reports

[@clarencetaylor7455]

I'd expect Bernie to have no less than 10 detectors in his house

[@tomsd]

Jui

[@mihiustv]

Thanks for top!

[@watcharapongchantraboon3142]

Very safe units to use.

[@SK-lt1so]

They don't mention big issues with fire alarms. They will beep obnoxiously when the battery is low, but do nothing else. This can make figuring out which one has a low battery very difficult. They are often placed in high places, and getting the plastic battery doors to open is difficult, so replacing batteries is a nuisance. Wired systems can alarm,without any way of turning them off, if there is a short circuit/water damage. You have to pull their fuse. Often, with wired systems, all the units need to be replaced together or the units will not function properly.

[@CastleMc]

YES-mine are not only very high but hang over staircases!

[@sylviasuarez5121]

Dealing with it is better than the alternative.

[@cagedtigersteve]

My solution is to just remove the smoke detector and problem solved.

[@Ann-um3hd]

Until theres a real fire

[@CassetteMaster]

I'm humored that he went ahead and explained how photoelectric detectors detect smoke, but didn't explain the ionization--otherwise he would have to mention the Radioactive Material!

[@cactusladysouth1000]

Please explain or tell me where I can get that info

[@SerenoOunce]

Americium is one of the least radioactive elements. Emitted particles can't pass though housing it's contained in, let alone the product enclosure. Only real nuisance is there disposal. Otherwise, only a hazard if you go tampering with it.

[@HSETM]

Dual Sensor: KIDDE PI-9010.

[@Yugiboii]

Anyone ran into a scenario where the beeping is coming from the ceiling and not the detector itself? I replaced my detector with a new one hoping it stops the 5 beeps but to no avail. Anyone?

[@idmhead0160]

Maybe there is one installed on another floor that you're hearing?

[@DennisMcCoy-b2r]

I have never had one go off for a legitimate reason, just periodic false alarms leaving me feeling annoyed rather than alarmed. This is a serious safety hazard. When people are constantly woken during the night they are only encouraged to remove batteries and not get round to replacing them. Please bring attention to this, it's happened with every single fire alarm I have ever had even ones recently installed by professionals

[@djfunkychicken]

*Fire extinguisher entered the chat*

[@arshadhalim4313]

Do all smoke detector speaks?

[@elithegreat6463]

Fire 🔥: “The rapid oxidation of a combustible material, releasing energy in the form of light and heat”

[@demeaningplebny1363]

Keegan-Michael Key works for CU!??

[@chuter52]

Is this intended for elementary schools?

[@Sethermiester]

Disappointed. Dual sensor do not have clearly stated method of operation. Photoelectric is much more effective at actual smoke detection than an ionization alarm is. Most people die from smoldering smokey fires not open flame...

[@autokss]

Good topic. Cringe worthy video. Yikes!

[@Pops2]

His name is burn...e.

[@x25__]

Please, PLEASE test detectors for radio-frequency interference.

[@alexsu6872]

Burny

[@robertsaca3512]

Why is the interviewer immature? Wouldn't you think mature intelligent adults would be the majority or only people interested in this information?

[@bjs2022]

Alarms don’t “go off”. They stay on to sound.

[@jeffk464]

Party on

[@Freddylikefood]

Need to become a member and pay (minimum) $10 each month to get any research Consumer Report Information. Sad shadow of greed. I pass.

[@adrianappleyard4005]

P

[@monivlog1138]

এটা কিনবো কিভাবে

[@lojac4941]

Great information... but dang ya'll made this totally corny.

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

Ugh. My brain cells. CR, (I am a member, by the way) this video irritates me to the point of exasperation. Can you please not dumb it down so much and get to the point quickly without the gimmicky acting? There was no new information for me in this video and it was a complete waste of time. I know you have to cater to the reclusive cat lady who has never purchased a smoke detector, but what about analytical people like engineers and technicians? Just the data, please. Project Farm puts you guys to shame. Ideally, I'd succinctly like to know what the best brands are that aren't total garbage and I want to see real, actual data to support the tests. Sure, I could go to the CR website like it's the year 2000, but good grief, what a hassle. One of your techs lighting a fire in a lab is not useful.

[@001looker]

i do not have any smoke detectors and very happy

[@kylehill3643]

You'll live longer not smoking as a plus.

[@DayumQuitPlayin]

Stop with the humor, it’s cringey and not even funny.

[@hempisnotpot4112]

aloha, please pass along to whomever is the poindexter\Einstein at first alert..... all smoke detectors and co2 combo's need a remote control switch at light switch level in the house. Like the garage door openers have the switch w wires to open and close. This way nobody has to climb a ladder or chair to push a button. HELLO>... WTF.. duh... There should be no need to touch the unit itself, especially if they are gonna wire these together for 2 or more. Make a remote to have an "all off button" and a "Silence button" and the "Test Button" on a panel next to it or somewhere lower so nobody has to climb up the vaulted ceilings at midnight, and so after you find there's no fire, you can go back to bed and deal with it the next day. Trying to get up from sleep bc the damn thing goes off and dealing with it groggy or medicated on a chair or ladder is more liability than the fire or CO2. Do I have to think of everything.... sweet dreams...Jesus H C people think already