Smoke Detectors 101 | Consumer Reports 

Yes, this may indeed be a smoke detector but it has many purposes example: in our house hold, it tells us when dinner is ready!

The acting... Jesus, take the wheel.

Thank you!! So many people do not know there is a difference.

A man whose job is to prevent a house from burning is named Bernie.

When will they make a hard-wired smokie that charges the battery so you don't have to replace it as often?

Two detectors: dual sensor and carbon monoxide. Gotcha!

All Smoke Detectors should have a PATH light. Lights saves lives.

He reminds me of Keegan-Michael Key, even sometimes acts like him.

In the end regardless of local laws it doesn't really matter how you setup your alarm|(s) as long as they are functional during a fire that's what counts and you at least have 1 that sounds they'll be happy when you sell or need fire insurance.

Not a good test when the source is right below the detectors. Try again.

I used to have CO/Smoke Detector units in my house -- one of the many false CO detections brought my local Fire Dept to my house and they said combo units are the WORST so we have separate units now. Oh, and don't forget that Ionization fire detectors MUST BE REPLACED every 10 years (the radioactive isotope has a shelf life)!

This reminds me of the SmartPipe infomercial

Also it helps to keep bugs away from it

Photoelectric alarm with CO detector

I wish they made more detectors that used AA batteries. I also wish they had some with adjustable volume. Not all of us are deaf or need our hearing damaged from false alarms.

In truth, there are two types of photoelectric, one, that uses smoke blocking light shining at a sensor, and the other, which reflects light onto a sensor. Then the ionization uses radioactive material to ionize a chamber of air, allowing a tiny electric current to pass. Once smoke enters it, it disrupts the current flow, thus triggering the alarm.

WOW THANK YOU🎉

Smoke detectors have over a 35% chance of failure. Store bought CO goes off at 400 ppm, and the lethal amount starts at 150 ppm

Good information, pretty much vital information, definitely a must share video.

thanks for the review.

We used to have a General Electric Home Sentry smoke alarm and I hated the sound it made

What about the main power unit where there is a stop and start red button at the very base somewhere?

Thanks for top!

Very safe units to use.

I didn’t know Keegan Michael key got a job with consumer reports

“What if a fire happens right in front of your eyes” it’s not real until the smoke detector says so

I'd expect Bernie to have no less than 10 detectors in his house

I'm humored that he went ahead and explained how photoelectric detectors detect smoke, but didn't explain the ionization--otherwise he would have to mention the Radioactive Material!

Dual Sensor: KIDDE PI-9010.

"It's a dangerous test" - I can't take seriously any advice from people that think lighting 10 sheets of paper is 'get out of the room' dangerous. Home owners buy smoke detectors, not 8 year olds.

Keegan-Michael Key works for CU!??

They don't mention big issues with fire alarms. They will beep obnoxiously when the battery is low, but do nothing else. This can make figuring out which one has a low battery very difficult. They are often placed in high places, and getting the plastic battery doors to open is difficult, so replacing batteries is a nuisance. Wired systems can alarm,without any way of turning them off, if there is a short circuit/water damage. You have to pull their fuse. Often, with wired systems, all the units need to be replaced together or the units will not function properly.

I have never had one go off for a legitimate reason, just periodic false alarms leaving me feeling annoyed rather than alarmed. This is a serious safety hazard. When people are constantly woken during the night they are only encouraged to remove batteries and not get round to replacing them. Please bring attention to this, it's happened with every single fire alarm I have ever had even ones recently installed by professionals

*Fire extinguisher entered the chat*

Anyone ran into a scenario where the beeping is coming from the ceiling and not the detector itself? I replaced my detector with a new one hoping it stops the 5 beeps but to no avail. Anyone?

Fire 🔥: “The rapid oxidation of a combustible material, releasing energy in the form of light and heat”

Please, PLEASE test detectors for radio-frequency interference.

Do all smoke detector speaks?

Is this intended for elementary schools?

Disappointed. Dual sensor do not have clearly stated method of operation. Photoelectric is much more effective at actual smoke detection than an ionization alarm is. Most people die from smoldering smokey fires not open flame...

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Burny

Party on

Good topic. Cringe worthy video. Yikes!

His name is burn...e.

Why is the interviewer immature? Wouldn't you think mature intelligent adults would be the majority or only people interested in this information?

Alarms don’t “go off”. They stay on to sound.

Great information... but dang ya'll made this totally corny.

P

Need to become a member and pay (minimum) $10 each month to get any research Consumer Report Information. Sad shadow of greed. I pass.

Ugh. My brain cells. CR, (I am a member, by the way) this video irritates me to the point of exasperation. Can you please not dumb it down so much and get to the point quickly without the gimmicky acting? There was no new information for me in this video and it was a complete waste of time. I know you have to cater to the reclusive cat lady who has never purchased a smoke detector, but what about analytical people like engineers and technicians? Just the data, please. Project Farm puts you guys to shame. Ideally, I'd succinctly like to know what the best brands are that aren't total garbage and I want to see real, actual data to support the tests. Sure, I could go to the CR website like it's the year 2000, but good grief, what a hassle. One of your techs lighting a fire in a lab is not useful.

Stop with the humor, it’s cringey and not even funny.

i do not have any smoke detectors and very happy

aloha, please pass along to whomever is the poindexter\Einstein at first alert..... all smoke detectors and co2 combo's need a remote control switch at light switch level in the house. Like the garage door openers have the switch w wires to open and close. This way nobody has to climb a ladder or chair to push a button. HELLO>... WTF.. duh... There should be no need to touch the unit itself, especially if they are gonna wire these together for 2 or more. Make a remote to have an "all off button" and a "Silence button" and the "Test Button" on a panel next to it or somewhere lower so nobody has to climb up the vaulted ceilings at midnight, and so after you find there's no fire, you can go back to bed and deal with it the next day. Trying to get up from sleep bc the damn thing goes off and dealing with it groggy or medicated on a chair or ladder is more liability than the fire or CO2. Do I have to think of everything.... sweet dreams...Jesus H C people think already