Talk:Smoke detector

Apparently Erwin Sick is given credit for the first smoke detector, but not much has been written about it. Any more detailed information? "In 1956, Sick is granted the second patent for a new type of photoelectric retro-reflective sensor, followed in 1958 by the patent for the first smoke detection device in the world." ^[1] Rhynchosaur (talk) 16:59, 5 August 2022 (UTC)

TL:DR not relevant to the article-

This seems to be the original patent it is more of a security sensor (Photoelectric sensors | Reflex Array | SICK) used in industry production than a fire alarm product. Here is about there history on their own site: SICK's company history | SICK Fackbok.se (talk) 20:25, 11 April 2023 (UTC)

A smoke detector by definition only senses or detects. It has no audible or visual output. Detectors are used in fire alarm systems that have a control panel which the detector sends a signal to when it detects smoke, a heat rise or other material it is designed to sense. It is useless in almost all home applications. Smoke alarms are designed to both sense AND give off an audible and/or visual output such as a high db alarm, a strobe light or voice. Smoke alarms are what are used in single family homes or residences that are not required to have a fire alarm system. Umpyprof (talk) 20:12, 21 February 2024 (UTC)

The name "Smoke Detector" is commonly used to describe a combined detector+alarm and in normal use means the same as "Smoke Alarm". I am sure that pure detectors without any alarm function exist but this does not mean that the item known as as Smoke Detector "has no audible or visual output". Mtpaley (talk) 00:53, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

You might have a point though on the order of redirect. Currently "Smoke Alarm" redirects to "Smoke Detector" and this article is clearly written with a domestic smoke alarm in mind. It might make more sense to reverse this and make smoke detector redirect to smoke alarm which is renamed from the current smoke detector page. Mtpaley (talk) 01:03, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

If you have ever taken or taught a fire alarm system course as I have, one of the first things you learn is that a smoke detector is not the same as a smoke alarm and using the terms interchangably may be a serious mistake, especially to those who are not familiar with the subject. In fact the subject comparing detectors to alarms is on provincial licencing exams for those who wish to work on fire alarm systems. If you are going to use technical terminology, use it correctly. If you want to continue to use the 2 terms synonymously go right ahead and hope you never give someone the wrong information. I'm not going to reply again. Any person who reads my post will certainly get my point. Umpyprof (talk) 02:36, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

Very few, if any, persons that are licensed to work on fire alarm systems are also inclined to edit Wikipedia. Your expertise in the area would be greatly appreciated as there is a deficiency in a lot of the fire safety material on this site, as evidenced by the inaccurate terminology used here in favor of the "more common" name. Reconrabbit 14:29, 22 February 2024 (UTC)

There's a lot of material, including comments about this article, in this blog post, which also refers and links to reliable sources. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 20:37, 10 September 2025 (UTC)

This article is currently the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 12 January 2026 and 8 May 2026. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): Gary9606 (article contribs).

— Assignment last updated by UCIHGrad18 (talk) 22:44, 18 February 2026 (UTC)