Opinion ID: 2046018
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Types of smoke detectors.

Text: Defendant BRK is the leading manufacturer of smoke detectors. There are two basic types of smoke detectors: ionization detectors and photoelectric detectors, both of which are battery powered. BRK's model 83R, which was the type of detector installed in the Mercers' home, is an ionization detector. An ionization detector uses a small amount of radioactive material to create charged air particles (ions) in the detection chamber. As smoke particles enter the chamber, they combine with and essentially neutralize the charged particles. This results in a reduction in electricity which is sensed by the detector's electronic components, triggering an alarm. A photoelectric smoke detector uses a source of light, rather than a source of radioactive material, in the detection chamber. When smoke enters the chamber, the smoke particles cause the light particles to reflect and scatter until they eventually hit a sensor, triggering an alarm. Ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors do not react the same way in all types of fires because of the different ways in which they sense the presence of smoke particles. An ionization detector is more efficient and effective than a photoelectric detector in responding to a flaming fire because such fires generally emit smoke consisting of small smoke particles. On the other hand, a photoelectric detector may be more sensitive to smoke from a smoldering fire because such fires generally emit smoke consisting of larger sized smoke particles. Defendant BRK manufactures both ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors. BRK is the only manufacturer that offers a combination smoke detector at the retail level. The combination detector combines both the ionization and photoelectric features in one unit. BRK's biggest selling smoke detector is the model 83R, an ionization detector. Approximately 100 million model 83R ionization smoke detectors exist in the market. A BRK ionization detector sells at retail for approximately $6-$10, a BRK photoelectric detector for approximately $20, and a combination detector for approximately $30. BRK has manufactured the model 83R since 1983 with little change in its design.