Journal article
Smoke alarm tests may not adequately indicate smoke alarm function
Journal of burn care & research, Vol.32(4), pp.e135-e139
07/2011
DOI: 10.1097/BCR.0b013e3182223f2e
PMID: 21747329
Abstract
Smoke alarms are one of the most promoted prevention strategies to reduce residential fire deaths, and they can reduce residential fire deaths by half. Smoke alarm function can be measured by two tests: the smoke alarm button test and the chemical smoke test. Using results from a randomized trial of smoke alarms, we compared smoke alarm response to the button test and the smoke test. The smoke alarms found in the study homes at baseline were tested, as well as study alarms placed into homes as part of the randomized trial. Study alarms were tested at 12 and 42 months postinstallation. The proportion of alarms that passed the button test but not the smoke test ranged from 0.5 to 5.8% of alarms; this result was found most frequently among ionization alarms with zinc or alkaline batteries. These alarms would indicate to the owner (through the button test) that the smoke alarm was working, but the alarm would not actually respond in the case of a fire (as demonstrated by failing the smoke test). The proportion of alarms that passed the smoke test but not the button test ranged from 1.0 to 3.0%. These alarms would appear nonfunctional to the owner (because the button test failed), even though the alarm would operate in response to a fire (as demonstrated by passing the smoke test). The general public is not aware of the potential for inaccuracy in smoke alarm tests, and burn professionals can advocate for enhanced testing methods. The optimal test to determine smoke alarm function is the chemical smoke test.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Smoke alarm tests may not adequately indicate smoke alarm function
- Creators
- Corinne Peek-Asa - University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52241, USAJingzhen YangCara HamannTracy Young
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of burn care & research, Vol.32(4), pp.e135-e139
- DOI
- 10.1097/BCR.0b013e3182223f2e
- PMID
- 21747329
- NLM abbreviation
- J Burn Care Res
- ISSN
- 1559-047X
- eISSN
- 1559-0488
- Publisher
- England
- Grant note
- CCR 703640 / PHS HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/2011
- Academic Unit
- Public Health Administration; Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Nursing; Center for Social Science Innovation; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9983996075202771
Metrics
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