A good radar detector can detect up to 8 miles in an open-area, and up to 2.5 miles in urban areas.
first optical smoke / heat detector to second optical smoke/heat detector maximum distance.
Ants can detect the scent of sugar from up to 20 feet away.
A PIR normally refers to a passive infra-red detector. These are the detectors typically used in security systems to detect movement of people. They are normally found with a small translucent window in the front of the detector. The detector works by measuring the infra-red radiation (heat) from the field of view in front of the translucent lens. When the radiation levels change or a heat source moves, the output of the detector is triggered. Normal security use will detect a person moving in the field of view but they can be far more sensitive and detect movements of far smaller animals.
1 foot away
Ants can detect food using their sense of smell from up to 20 feet away.
It is used in smoke detectors as it cannot travel far in air. Alpha radiation is emitted and as long as the detector in the device is receiving the alpha radiation, then no smoke is present. When smoke particles are present, they interrupt the radiation, and so the detector doesn't pick up the radiation, causing the alarm to go off.
one meter ayaw
There are basically two types of smoke detector; one type measures the opacity of the air to literally "see" if there is smoke. The other type tests for ionization that occurs when there is a fire. That type smoke detector uses a small radioactive chip to determine if freshly ionized smoke is present. It's a far more accurate means of determining the presence of fire and associated hazardous smoke. Many smoke detectors use a combination of both detectors. A separate type of detector is the carbon monoxide detector, which senses the presence of harmful carbon monoxide in the air. Most will even indicate the percentage of carbon monoxide. Note that carbon monoxide is typically present when a furnace or other heating device malfunctions.
Microwaves
There are basically two types of smoke detector; one type measures the opacity of the air to literally "see" if there is smoke. The other type tests for ionization that occurs when there is a fire. That type smoke detector uses a small radioactive chip to determine if freshly ionized smoke is present. It's a far more accurate means of determining the presence of fire and associated hazardous smoke. Many smoke detectors use a combination of both detectors. A separate type of detector is the carbon monoxide detector, which senses the presence of harmful carbon monoxide in the air. Most will even indicate the percentage of carbon monoxide. Note that carbon monoxide is typically present when a furnace or other heating device malfunctions.
Bed bugs can detect carbon dioxide from up to 5 feet away to locate their human hosts.