Which smoke detector is best suited for detecting smoldering fires?

The best choice for detecting smoldering fires is the photoelectric smoke detector. This type of detector uses a beam of light and a sensor that detects light scattered by smoke particles. Smoldering fires typically produce larger smoke particles and a slower rate of combustion, which makes them more effectively detected by the photoelectric mechanism.

In contrast, ionization smoke detectors work best for detecting fast-flaming fires because they are more sensitive to smaller combustion particles that are present in such fires. While combination smoke detectors can provide benefits from both types (ionization and photoelectric), they may not be as specialized in smoldering fire detection as a dedicated photoelectric unit. Lastly, heat detectors respond to changes in temperature and are suitable for certain environments but do not detect smoke, making them less effective for early warning in smoldering fire situations.