Heat detectors require a certain temperature to set them off. Although they have the lowest false alarm rate, they also have the slowest response time. They should not replace but compliment smoke alarms. A heat detector is appropriate in confined spaces or directly over hazards and where the environment is dirty or smoky under normal conditions.

Rate of Rise:
Rate-of-rise heat detectors react to the sudden change or rise in ambient temperature from a normal baseline condition. A typical alarm may sound when the rate of temperature rise exceeds 12 ° to 15 ° F degrees per minute. This type of heat detector can react to a lower threshold condition than would be possible if the threshold were fixed. Very effective when a fast burning type of fire is expected.

Benefits:
-Can be installed in areas where low level products of combustion, nonflammable gases, or vapors are normally found.
-Wide spacing allowance

Uses:
Telecommunications, Clean Rooms, Switch Gear, Museums, Records Storage, Vaults, MRI Equipment, Process Controllers, Electronic Files, Data Processing Libraries, Emergency Power Facilities, Laboratories, Libraries, Telephone Equipment Rooms

Rate Compensated Heat Detector
A rate compensation detector provides both sensitivity to the temperature rise and the fixed temperature.

Benefits:
-Resets itself, testable
-Rugged & durable
-Wide spacing allowance
-Versatile; effective for slow and fast burning fires

Uses:
Telecommunications, Clean Rooms, Switch Gear, Mixing Operations, Hydraulic Equipment, Quench Tanks, Paint Lockers, Turbine Generators, Electrical Areas, Paint Spray Booths, Industrial Machinery, Rolling Mills, Large Commercial Fryers, Engine Rooms, Industrail Ovens, Dust Collectors