Smoke Detectors in Radioactive Environment

[richanton]

I have a question that I am not sure where to ask, but let's start here. We are designing a high radiation "hot cell". It is required for us to have fire protection in the cell. I am wondering how a photoelectric smoke device would function when exposed to an average of 100R per hour.
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask.

The principles of photoelectric is that silicon diodes are used to create a light beam that any smoke will block.

 

[ajingram]

Not a good idea. Any plastic components will degrade if placed in the high rad field. You also have problems of replacing it. However, you presumably have a vent plant attached so you could mount it in the downstream ducting, away from the radiation. Another trick is to draw a sample of air from the cell into a detector, routing it back into the cell.