Which type of detector is typically used for sensing smoke in a fire alarm system?

The smoke detector is specifically designed to sense smoke particles in the air, making it a critical component in fire alarm systems. These detectors operate on the principle of detecting the presence of smoke due to combustion, which can trigger an alarm signal to alert occupants of a potential fire hazard.

Smoke detectors come in various types, including ionization and photoelectric detectors. Ionization detectors are more responsive to flaming fires, while photoelectric detectors are better at sensing smoldering fires. Their ability to detect smoke in different stages of a fire makes them essential for early warning and prevention of fire-related incidents.

In the context of fire detection systems, the other types of detectors serve different purposes. Flame detectors are used to identify flames rather than smoke, making them more suitable for environments where rapid flame detection is critical. Thermal detectors respond to heat changes and are utilized for detecting abnormal increases in temperature rather than smoke itself. Gas detectors monitor the presence of specific gases, which can indicate a combustion process but do not directly sense smoke or provide fire alarm activation. Thus, smoke detectors are the most appropriate choice for sensing smoke in a fire alarm context.