Vol. 2 · June 2026 · Midwest United States
Midwest Fire Investigation
Scientific Fire Cause and Origin Analysis for the Midwest
Fire Safety

How Do Fire Alarm Systems Detect Smoke?

A breakdown of how different fire alarm systems detect smoke, including heat detectors, photoelectric alarms, ionization alarms, and aspirating smoke detectors.

By Midwest Fire Investigation Staff ·
Fire Safety

Do Fire Alarms Trigger Fire Sprinklers?

Fire alarms and fire sprinklers serve different purposes and operate independently. Learn how each system works and why smoke detectors do not activate sprinkler heads.

By Midwest Fire Investigation Staff ·
Fire Safety

Fire Sprinkler Systems: Types, Pros, and Cons

An overview of the four main types of fire sprinkler systems — pre-action, dry pipe, wet pipe, and deluge — and the advantages and disadvantages of each for commercial buildings.

By Midwest Fire Investigation Staff ·