Which type of smoke detector requires regular cleaning to prevent false alarms?

Ionization smoke detectors detect smoke by using a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air in the sensing chamber. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the ionization process, triggering the alarm. However, these detectors are particularly susceptible to false alarms caused by dust, debris, or insect infestations. Regular cleaning is essential to remove any particles that might interfere with their operation. This maintenance ensures that the detector functions correctly and reduces the likelihood of unwanted alarms.

In contrast, while photoelectric smoke detectors and smart smoke detectors may also require some level of maintenance, they do not typically suffer from false alarms due to dust accumulation in the same way ionization detectors do. Noise-detecting smoke detectors are not a common type within residential fire safety systems, further differentiating them from typical smoke detector technologies that require regular cleaning.