Radiation alarm in Hasenkrug: Fire brigade in use due to smoke detectors

Radiation alarm in Hasenkrug: Fire brigade in use due to smoke detectors

in Hasenkrug, a place in the Segeberg district, caused an excitement to find an old smoke detector with a warning sticker before radioactivity. Residents discovered the device during cleanup work, which triggered an extensive fire service. Several voluntary fire brigades and the ABC train of the district fire brigade association were alerted to check the situation. The ABC train is specially trained with atomic, biological and chemical hazardous substances.

The local emergency services blocked the area around the site and set up a decontamination site. However, measurements showed that the radiation values ​​were below the critical limit values. A total of ten people and a dog were examined, whereby no increased radiation exposure could be found in all. The mission lasted almost three hours and led to the conclusion that there was no danger to health. The old smoke detector was then secured in a special container and handed over to the responsible authorities for professional disposal.

background to ionization smoke detectors

The find of the smoke detector throws the topic of the ionization smoke detectors, which were previously widespread. These devices use a radioactive spotlight, mostly Americium-241, to detect smoke particles. The functional principle is based on the fact that the air is irradiated with an alpha spotlight, which creates an ionization stream that takes off during the accumulation of smoke particles and triggers an alarm. Although the radiation exposure to an intact detector is low, escaping radioactive material can be harmful to health. Therefore, the handling of ionization smoke detectors is strictly regulated, and the regulations for their use have been tightened. Brand-feuer.de reports that these detectors are increasingly replaced by optical smoke detectors, which are more efficient, especially for smoldering fires.

ionization smoke detectors in Germany are now only in use in special cases, since the requirements for the permissible radiation exposure and the disposal of these devices are high. According to the provisions of the Radiation Protection Act, these detectors need a permit to ensure that they are used properly and treated in the disposal. bfs.de Ionization smoke detectors are regulated by a type approval.

The discovery of the old smoke detector in Hasenkrug makes it clear how important it is to check such devices regularly and, if necessary, to replace the safety of the residents. While the technology has developed, the goal remains unchanged: to protect people from the dangers of fires.