Should ionization-type smoke detectors be banned nationwide?

[303Guy]

In my parts, the cheap smoke detectors don't work simply because they are so flipping effective they get disconnected. They go off with normal cooking and sometimes they just go off. The result is zero fire detection and people die as a result. Having said that, I have never set off an alarm with my cooking but my partner and her son and my son have all set off the flipping thing. Result - we have no smoke alarm! Oops!

[sholomar]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

By your logic, we should legalize marijuana, cocaine, and other illegal drugs.

I don't see why you are being so defensive about ionization-type smoke detectors. The UL standards for testing smoke detectors is far out of date, and doesn't really represent real world fires. When these tests were made, most homes had furniture that had cotton filling. However, with the increased use of polyurethane filling, the fumes produced by furniture burning can actually be toxic. This is an important problem with ionization-type detectors, as a room can get filled with toxic smoke and the detector fails to detect it.

Trust me, I am not biased, I am just educated. You are the one who is clearly biased.

You're right, we should.

[john620]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

But why would you want only minimal protection from an ionization-type alarm, instead of total protection from a photoelectric alarm?

Clearly, the ideal solution would a detector that detects smoke, propane, natural gas, and CO, but at least the smoke detecting part should use a photoelectric sensor.

And by banning ionization type detectors, I don't mean that everyone shourd replace theirs instantly, I simply mean that no new ionization type detectors should be manufactured or sold. This would be a gradual phase out,

Let the public decide which ones they want. If they are too stupid then it's a matter of natural selection.

[wpme]

I have 2 ionizing smoke detectors, if I barely burn anything on the stove they go off, really, who wants soft mushy bacon?

Besides that terrorists need a source of cheap radioactive material

[303Guy]

And the recommended place for those smoke detectors is right where any stove smoke will reach it. Like just outside the kitchen door or something. Maybe we should move them where they will give us protection but not necessarily save the kitchen (or at least gives us annoying false alarms).

So my vote actually goes to not banning them but rather placing them in more creative places. (I'm not in the USA so my vote is just an opinion).

[Suspicious Person]

Let's try this Harry: Set up 2 houses, 1 equipped with photoelectric type smoke alarms in all rooms & the other with ionization smoke alarms. You get to sleep in the ionization-equipped death trap & I'll be in the photoelectric house. While sleeping, a smoldering fire takes place: same time & method: soldering iron in a couch. According to a 2.5 year Texas A & M study on ionization vs photoelectric smoke alarms, as well as fatal fire statistics, you'll probably be overcome by toxic smoke & not make it out alive, since ionization smoke alarms have been PROVEN to sound too late, or not at all. But you didn't know this, because the smoke alarm packaging didn't reveal this information. It just stated it was good for general use. But because you were deceived by this misinformation, you paid the ultimate price. Survival's still possible, along with burns & smoke inhalation. I'd rather see you safe, in the photoelectric equipped house, instead of going through the hell that others have. The IAFF recommends using ONLY the photoelectric type smoke alarms. Even the firefighters were surprised to see the earlier warning that the photoelectric type gave over ionization. See YouTube: Rossen smoke alarm report. Read Jay Flemings report. Ionization smoke alarm manufacturers need to divulge this deadly delay, for smoldering fires on their packaging. They should be banned because of their PROVEN UNRELIABILITY. Dig in & do the research. Why in Gods name, would you want such an inferior safety product on the store shelves? For freedom of choice? Freedom to kill yourself, family members, friends, neighbors, because this piece of junk didn't sound during a fire? It's that serious. The International Association of Firefighters endorsed ONLY the Photoelectric Type Smoke Alarm, in 2008. I trust them & the Texas A&M study, not the manufacturers of a product, that has repeatedly failed & allowed others to die by fire. Unacceptable - ionization smoke alarms have contributed to human suffering & loss of life & property by fire/smoke & should be discontinued.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Good discussion here. Thanks, Harry.