What triggers a smoke detector?

A smoke detector is specifically designed to respond to the presence of smoke in the environment. When smoke enters the detector, it disrupts the flow of air in a sensing chamber, which can activate an alarm. The primary function of smoke detectors is to detect potential fires at their earliest stage by identifying smoke particles, making their prompt response essential for safety. While heat can also indicate a fire, smoke detectors do not typically rely on heat detection; that function is reserved for heat detectors. Fluctuations in pressure or the activation of a fire alarm system are not triggers for smoke detectors; instead, they operate independently to serve their specific purpose of smoke detection.