Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Heat detectors are designed to operate when the temperature or rate-of-rise of temperature exceeds a predetermined value. This type of detector uses a special metal that melts or distorts when heat enters the air surrounding it.
A heat detector is available as part of a smoke detector but also comes separately. When built into smoke detectors, they set off the smoke detector’s main alarm. Separately, they sound their own alarm. See more about Smoke Detectors.
Heat detectors add protection but by themselves are not effective early-warning devices because they must be very close to a fire to be set off. However, they are useful in places where smoke detectors have a high rate of nuisance alarms, such as a kitchen. They are also useful in areas of the home where smoke detectors cannot function effectively because it is too hot or cold.
A type of heat detector called a Rate Compensated Detector activates the alarm whenever the ambient temperature reaches a preset temperature setting. These special heat detectors also have a rate-anticipation feature that enables the detector to respond one to three degrees ahead of the setting. Rate compensated detectors do not, however, respond to momentary temperature fluctuations below the selected protection level, which would cause nuisance alarms.
Heat detectors automatically reset themselves after temperatures return to protection level.
Heat detectors are designed to operate when the temperature or rate-of-rise of temperature exceeds a predetermined value. This type of detector uses a special metal that melts or distorts when heat enters the air surrounding it.