July 26, 2007

What type of detector do you have?

       Firefighters from White River Township Fire Department want to share some recently released results from important research and testing of smoke detectors that could significantly improve your chances of surviving a fire.  As you know, for years the department has been educating residents that smoke from fires is what is routinely responsible for someone dying as a result of a fire in their home.  The department has always taught members of the public that studies show that people who have a working smoke detector in their home significantly reduces their chance of dying in their home as a result of fire.  As of today, almost all of the residential smoke detectors that are in our homes are of the ionization technology standard.  These detectors have historically done a good job of detecting a rapidly burning fire in the home and has proven to give plenty of time for residents to escape. The ionization sensor is designed to detect small particles which are produced in greater amounts by flaming fires which consume combustibles and spread rapidly.

         However, recent studies are showing that most people who die in a fire are not dying from the “rapid burning fire”.  They are in fact dying from the smoke of a “slow burning” or “smoldering” fire.  This is the type of fire, for example, that is caused by a cigarette being dropped in a bed or couch or one where a malfunctioning electric appliance or an overheated extension cord just smolders, creating a lot of smoke, but seldom breaks out into that “rapid fire”.  This creates a very serious concern for Fire Prevention Officers all over the world.  Many companies have promoted a newer technology of using photoelectric sensors instead of, or in combination with, the ionization sensors. They have claimed that this technology is designed to respond to these slow-burning fires that recent studies have shown are more often killing the occupants of residential structures.  But they haven’t really offered any demonstrations to prove their theory.  They only provided laboratory tests with no real-life scenarios, which make people skeptical to the real benefit of these detectors.  The new photoelectric sensor detector is designed to detect large particles which tend to be produced in greater amounts by smoldering fires, which smolder for long periods creating a lot of smoke before bursting into flames.

         In hopes to reduce fire deaths here and all over Central Indiana, local Fire Prevention Officers decided to conduct some “real-life” tests to determine if these detectors in fact could provide the more rapid response to these small, slow burning, smoldering fires to allow the occupants to escape in time before the carbon monoxide levels reached deadly levels.  These tests where conducted in Marion County and were all recorded by WTHR Channel 13 reporter Bob Segall.  Additionally, White River Township Fire Marshal Eric Brown participated in a meeting with State Fire Marshal Roger Johnson, News 13 Reporter Bob Segall, and many other Central Indiana Fire Prevention Specialists. This meeting’s purpose was to allow participants to review the results of the recent tests that were conducted locally in Marion County.  The results of the local tests were very similar to those results found in tests conducted Australia, where fire officials found that photoelectric smoke detectors provided a much better level of protection from fire deaths.  The results of the tests conducted in Marion County were that the new technology of photoelectric smoke detectors do in fact respond MUCH quicker than the ionization smoke detectors in a smoldering-type fire.  This type of fire is the type of fire in which most fire deaths are now occurring.  The tests showed the ionization-type detector, which most individuals have in the home, activated as much as 15-20 minutes after the photoelectric detector.  At this point, the smoke was so thick and carbon monoxide levels were so high that chances of surviving this type of fire would be very slim.  The photoelectric was found during the tests to work well with the “rapid fires” as well.

         After reviewing the results of the “real-life” testing, the White River Township Fire Marshal’s Office has agreed that the photoelectric smoke detector does offer the best level of protection to all types of fires in the home. While ionization detectors provide good protection for rapid-type fires, they do not offer as good of a  protection as the photoelectric detectors on all types of fires that could occur in the home.

         The group of Fire Prevention Specialist that met in Marion County, feel so strong about the difference in the detector response times, that they have agreed to support the State Fire Marshal to make recommendations to officials to change the current Indiana Fire and Building Codes to require that the photoelectric-type detectors be installed in all new residential and multi-family dwellings in the future.  Our Fire Marshal’s office encourages all homeowners in White River Township to add at least one of these new technology photoelectric smoke detectors to their home.  Chief Brown states: “You do not need to discard your existing detectors as they still offer a level of protection, however if you want to give your family the best chance of surviving all types of fires in your home, you should go out today and install at least one photoelectric detectors in the sleeping areas of your home.”  "Our investigation has found that the cost difference between an old technology ionization sensor and the new technology photoelectric sensor is only about $5.00", he added.  Chief Brown met with the local Menard's manager and discussed stock and cost of these detectors.  It was found that you can purchase the new photoelectric smoke detector at Menard's for as low as $12.88.  Additionally, a combination ionization/photoelectric detector can be purchased for as low as $19.99.  The manager of Menard's here in Greenwood has assured Chief Brown that they have a large stock of this type of detector on hand and has agreed to keep the shelves stocked with the photoelectric type smoke detectors, which will help the department assure that its residents can protect their families more efficiently.  Also know that both types of smoke detectors look alike.  Make sure you are looking at the sensor type indicated on the packaging. The photoelectric detector will have a large “P” on the package and will indicate it is photoelectric technology.  It is important that you look for the type of sensor that is used and assure you get a photoelectric sensor.

         Chief Brown encourages all individuals to take the time and view the results of the tests as presented by WTHR via their web site by clicking HERE.  

        
(Click on a thumbnail to enlarge photo)
   

---