Which type of smoke detector is better at detecting smoldering fires?

Photoelectric smoke detectors are particularly effective at detecting smoldering fires, which produce larger smoke particles than fast-flame fires. These detectors use a light source and a photodetector. When smoke enters the sensing chamber, it scatters the light, causing the photodetector to sense a change. This technology is more sensitive to the slow, low-temperature combustion associated with smoldering fires, allowing them to respond more quickly than some other types of detectors.

In contrast, ionization smoke detectors are better suited for detecting fast-flame fires, as they are more responsive to smaller combustion particles that are generated during rapid flaming combustion. Heat detectors, on the other hand, react to changes in temperature rather than the presence of smoke, making them less effective for early warning in cases of smoldering fires.

Given the nature of smoldering fires and the technology behind different types of smoke detectors, the photoelectric model stands out as the most appropriate choice for early detection of such incidents.