A great number of people are injured, suffer property loss and die as a result of a fire. Despite the fact that fire can easily be prevented it remains one of the primary causes of injury suffered at one's residence in the United States. In many instances where people have died in a fire, the reason was that they were not alerted that their residence or the building which they occupy is ablaze.

Fire alarm systems warn people of a potential fire. It warns the occupant while they still have time to either put out the fire or evacuate to safety. Most of today's fire alarm systems automatically call or notify the nearest fire department so that the fire will not spread out of control. Fire alarms can be activated by hand or by temperature detectors or smoke alarms.

Fire alarms are most of the time set to detect levels of heat or smoke which usually is an indication of fire. Many fire detection systems come equipped with flashing and blinking strobe lights for people who are hearing handicapped. Due to modern technology, fire prevention alarms are now incorporated with residential burglar alarm systems for the greatest protection and the best safeguarding of an individual's residence.

Smoke alarms are a component of any well designed fire prevention system, they sense smoke in the atmosphere of the room, closet or hall of a residence or public building and activate an alarm thus warning people nearby of a possible fire. Smoke alarms sense smoke today either by ionization or optical detection. Many smoke alarms also have carbon monoxide sensors that detect high levels of CO gas thereby providing protection from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The optical sensor in smoke alarms is a light detector which utilizes a laser beam of light. These beam sensors then sends a laser like beam to other sensors, if smoke is non-existent, the laser like beam passes through the optical chamber of the light sensor in a straight line. If smoke is present, the laser like beam is scattered by the smoke particles as it enters the light sensor and the scattered light then triggers the alarm of the smoke alarm.

Ionization smoke alarms cost much less than smoke detectors which use light sensors, however these kinds of smoke alarms are increasingly not recommended due to environmental concerns. Ionization detectors work by detecting particles of smoke by a small amount of radioactive "americium-241" (that is why it is discouraged from being used). This radiated material goes through an ionization compartment. This chamber permits the steady flow of current of electrodes, so that when smoke particles enter this chamber it interrupts the flow thus setting the alarm off.

Some fire alarm systems have sprinkler system that will contain or put out the fire before it becomes uncontrollable. However the only way to prevent fire is to take steps to be careful and take additional preventive measures.

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