Ohio Fire Alarm Practice Test 2025 - Free Fire Alarm Systems Practice Questions and Study Guide

Photoelectric smoke detectors are particularly effective in areas with high dust or humidity because they function based on the scattering of light. When particles, such as dust or water vapor, enter the sensing chamber, they scatter the light from a beam within the detector. This light scattering triggers the alarm, making photoelectric detectors more sensitive to smoldering fires and smoke that may also come from sources associated with higher humidity and dust levels.

In contrast, ionization smoke detectors rely on a small amount of radioactive material to ionize the air and detect smoke particles. Such detectors can be less effective in environments where there is a lot of dust or humidity, as these elements can interfere with the ionization process and may lead to false alarms or slower detection times. Therefore, using a photoelectric detector in high-dust or humid environments is the better choice due to its operational principle and reliability in these conditions.