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Most smoke alarms use Americium-241 to detect smoke and hot air, thus triggering the alarm. Some gamma radiation is emitted by the smoke alarm but all the alpha radiation is blocked by the black box.
Living for a year within 1 metre of a smoke alarm would give you a radiation dose of 1.5 millimeters per year, which is about 1/1000th of the radiation that we receive normally. If you held a smoke alarm in your hand then you would get a significant dose, but you're not going to do that are you?
The Americium is chosen because of it's very high melting point (it's designed to work in a fire). Even in a house fire, the material will not melt and would not be a health hazard.
But there are some safety things to remember
- Never hold a smoke alarm in your hand to long
- Never attempt to disassemble the radioactive elements housing or damage it as will release radiation still capable of causing a health hazard
What else can I help you with?
What are the differences between a photoelectric smoke alarm and an ionization smoke alarm?
The main difference between a photoelectric smoke alarm and an ionization smoke alarm is the way they detect smoke. Photoelectric alarms use light to detect smoke particles, while ionization alarms use radioactive particles. Photoelectric alarms are better at detecting smoldering fires, while ionization alarms are more sensitive to fast-flaming fires.
Arguments for and against smoke alarms?
advantages:They save lives, they are cheap, easy to fit , reliable disadvantages: Radioactive material( in ionising smoke alarms which releases alpha particles) nucience alarms ( when the alarm goes of because of cooking or burnt toast)
What types of smoke alarms can you find?
there is ten types of smoke alarms that you can find
What does isotopes have to do with smoke alarms?
The "ionizing" type of smoke alarms uses Americium.
What chemicals are in fire alarms?
Fire alarms typically contain a few key chemicals, primarily in the smoke detection components. Ionization smoke detectors use a small amount of radioactive material, usually americium-241, to detect smoke particles. Photoelectric smoke detectors may use a light source and a photodetector, but do not contain hazardous chemicals. Additionally, the batteries in alarms may contain lithium or alkaline materials.
Why do you have smoke alarms?
federal law requires that smoke alarms need to be in every home
How many types of smoke alarms can you buy?
How many tyeps of smoke alarms can you buy?
Where can i find photoelectric smoke alarms?
You can find photoelectric smoke alarms at a hme improvement store. You should visit www.menards.com for more information on photoelectric smoke alarms.
What is the difference between regular smoke alarms and photoelectric smoke alarms?
Photoelectric smoke alarms are also called optical alarms. They are more expensive than regular alarms. They are also more accurate and less likely to go off unnecessarily.
Are smoke detectors and smoke alarms the same?
no
Why are smoke alarms a bad idea?
Smoke alarms are not a bad idea, i recommend them highly - they could save your life
Should I install smoke alarms in the new home I built?
Yes, of course you should install smoke alarms in the new home you are building. Smoke alarms should be in every home , old and new.
