What Type of Smoke Detector for a Garage?

Heat-Detector Models

• The type of smoke detector you need for your garage is a model that contains a heat-detector component. Heat detectors sense smoke and heat in areas where the temperature changes drastically throughout a day from hot to cold. The detectors also sense smoke in areas that contain equipment or machinery that emits smoke but a fire is not present. Heat detectors sense heat in addition to smoke. But heat detectors alone in other parts of your home are not as effective as smoke detectors that sense smoke only.

Purchasing

• Heat-detector model smoke detectors are available from hardware, home improvement and online outlets as well as directly from smoke detector manufacturers. The detectors work in both attached and detached garages; they come with a mounting kit and battery/electrical components and contain a "Test" feature to check the detector on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Smoke Detector Network

• If your home is equipped with a hard-wired smoke detection system, contact your system's installer or manufacturer to purchase a heat-detector model smoke detector. Then have the detector connected to your home's existing smoke detection system.

Heat Detector Placement

• Place the heat-detector model smoke detector within 20 feet of the nearest door or exit to the garage from your home. This will warn you of a fire in or near the garage. If placing the heat detector on a flat ceiling, place the detector on or near the center of your garage's ceiling. If the ceiling is sloped or vaulted, measure 4 inches from the wall, make a mark on the ceiling indicating the 4 inches and then mount the detector where the mark is located.