火災報知器(かさいほうちき)

A device that detects fire or smoke and triggers an alarm. In Japan, homes must have them: the rule applied to new houses from 2006 and to all existing homes by 2011.

Forms

火災(かさい) (fire/conflagration) + 報知(ほうち) (notification) + 器(き) (device)

Common collocations

• 火災報知器(かさいほうちき)が鳴(な)る: fire alarm sounds
• 火災報知器(かさいほうちき)を設置(せっち)する: install a fire alarm
• 火災報知器(かさいほうちき)の点検(てんけん): fire alarm inspection
• 火災報知器(かさいほうちき)の電池(でんち)交換(こうかん): battery replacement for fire alarm

Types

• 煙(けむり)感知器(かんちき): smoke detector
• 熱(ねつ)感知器(かんちき): heat detector

Also called 火災(かさい)報知機(ほうちき) (with 機(き) instead of 器(き)); both kanji are used.