<P> Photoelectric smoke detectors respond faster to fire in its early, smouldering stage (before it breaks into flame). The smoke from the smouldering stage of a fire is typically made up of large combustion particles--between 0.3 and 10.0 μm . Ionization smoke detectors respond faster (typically 30--60 seconds) in the flaming stage of a fire . The smoke from the flaming stage of a fire is typically made up of microscopic combustion particles--between 0.01 and 0.3 μm . Also, ionization detectors are weaker in high air - flow environments, and because of this, the photoelectric smoke detector is more reliable for detecting smoke in both the smoldering and flaming stages of a fire . </P> <P> In June 2006, the Australasian Fire & Emergency Service Authorities Council, the peak representative body for all Australian and New Zealand fire departments, published an official report,' Position on Smoke Alarms in Residential Accommodation' . Clause 3.0 states, "Ionization smoke alarms may not operate in time to alert occupants early enough to escape from smouldering fires ." </P> <P> In August 2008, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF, with over 300,000 members in North America) passed a resolution recommending the use of photoelectric smoke alarms, saying that changing to photoelectric alarms, "Will drastically reduce the loss of life among citizens and fire fighters ." </P> <P> In May 2011, the Fire Protection Association of Australia's (FPAA) official position on smoke alarms stated, "Fire Prevention Association Australia considers that all residential buildings should be fitted with photoelectric smoke alarms ..." </P>

Smoke detectors that light up and sound an alarm are an example of what type of design