Which type of smoke detector is typically better at detecting flaming fires?

Ionic smoke detectors are particularly effective at detecting flaming fires due to their sensitivity to fast-burning flames. They utilize a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air within a sensing chamber, which allows smoke particles from a flaming fire to disrupt the ion flow more swiftly than they would with smoldering fires. This rapid interruption triggers the alarm more quickly in the case of a flaming fire.

Photoelectric smoke detectors are generally better at detecting smoldering fires, which produce larger smoke particles, while dual-sensor smoke detectors combine elements of both photoelectric and ionic technology to provide a broader range of detection. Heat detectors, while useful in specific applications, are designed to trigger at certain temperatures and do not detect smoke at all. This context highlights why ionic smoke detectors are particularly valuable in scenarios where flaming fires are a significant concern.