Which alarm-initiating device is designed to actuate when visible or invisible products of combustion are present in the room or space where the unit is installed?

Which alarm-initiating device is designed to actuate when visible or invisible products of combustion are present in the room or space where the unit is installed?

• A. Fire Alarm Control Panel
• B. Carbon Monoxide Detector
• C. Smoke Detector
• D. Heat Detector

Answer: (C)

Smoke detectors are designed to sense the presence of combustion byproducts in the room, meaning smoke particles whether visible or invisible. When smoke or the fine particulates from burning are detected, the device triggers the alarm to warn occupants and begin the evacuation or suppression steps. Carbon monoxide detectors alert on carbon monoxide gas, which is a combustion byproduct but not smoke particles, so they don’t respond to all smoke conditions. Heat detectors respond to a rise in temperature or a rapid heat increase, not to smoke or other combustion products. The Fire Alarm Control Panel is the central controller, not an initiating device located in the room. So, the device that actuates when visible or invisible products of combustion are present is the smoke detector.

Smoke detectors are designed to sense the presence of combustion byproducts in the room, meaning smoke particles whether visible or invisible. When smoke or the fine particulates from burning are detected, the device triggers the alarm to warn occupants and begin the evacuation or suppression steps. Carbon monoxide detectors alert on carbon monoxide gas, which is a combustion byproduct but not smoke particles, so they don’t respond to all smoke conditions. Heat detectors respond to a rise in temperature or a rapid heat increase, not to smoke or other combustion products. The Fire Alarm Control Panel is the central controller, not an initiating device located in the room. So, the device that actuates when visible or invisible products of combustion are present is the smoke detector.