Properly Testing Smoke vs Heat Detectors

Smoke detectors and heat detectors are not the same device and testing them incorrectly

gives you false confidence that could be deadly. Smoke detectors use photoelectric

or ionization sensors to detect smoke particles in the air. Heat detectors only

trigger when temperature reaches a specific threshold usually around one hundred thirty five degrees.

Most homes have smoke detectors not heat detectors. To test a smoke detector properly

you need actual smoke or test spray because the test button only checks electronics not

the sensing chamber. Use canned detector test spray from any hardware store and spray directly

at the unit. It should alarm within thirty seconds. For heat detectors which are typically