What type of detector is best suited for detecting smoldering fires?

The photoelectric detector is best suited for detecting smoldering fires because it is designed to respond to the smoke produced during these types of fires. Smoldering fires typically generate larger smoke particles, which can effectively disrupt the light beam within a photoelectric sensor. This disruption triggers the alarm, making photoelectric detectors highly sensitive to the smoke that often accompanies smoldering combustion.

In contrast, ionization detectors are generally more effective at detecting fast, flaming fires as they are sensitive to smaller smoke particles produced during those events. Heat detectors, while useful for detecting rises in temperature, do not specifically respond to smoke and may not activate until a fire is more developed. Gas detectors are focused on detecting specific gases, such as carbon monoxide or natural gas, and do not operate based on smoke detection. Each type of detector serves a unique purpose, but for smoldering fires, the technology of photoelectric detectors is most advantageous.