Follow instructions on package for proper placement. Like smoke detectors, heat detectors should be considered an essential component of a home's fire protection system. Heat detectors, although not as widely used as smoke detectors, typically serve as a complement to smoke detectors and are usually located where smoke detectors are either impractical or unnecessary. Heat detectors function differently from smoke detectors in that they detect heat extremes instead of actual smoke. Therefore some areas that are ideal for heat detectors are the kitchen, garage, laundry room, and workshop areas.
Most heat detectors operate in one of two ways.
They either sound an alarm when the sensor reaches a preset temperature, for example 150 degrees. They may also sound an alarm when the sensor detects a rapid jump in temperature, for example a 50 degree temperature change over a three minute period. It is important to remember if only smoke is present, a heat detector probably won't sound. When a heat detector alarm sounds, get out of the residence immediately. Although malfunctions are possible, it is better to be safe than sorry.