- Author
- Grams, A. C. | Cretser, C. A.
- Title
- Smoke Detector Human Factor Study. Final Report.
- Coporate
- Covina Fire Dept., CA
- Sponsor
- National Fire Prevention and Control Admin., Washington, DC
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- NFPCA-78009
- Keywords
- smoke detectors | human factors engineering | fire alarm systems | residential buildings | surveys | planning | fire safety | education | fire departments
- Identifiers
- citizen participation; California; escape systems
- Abstract
- The life saving potential of residential smoke detectors is dependent on correct installation, maintenance and testing, and the practice of an escape plan by household members. Members of the Covina, California Fire Department planned a survey designed to measure the use of and attitude toward smoke detectors in private residences. Interviews were conducted of the same population sample both before and after informational literature was distributed. Results of the study indicate that distribution of literature will have but a small impact on developing an awareness towards the maintenance of smoke detectors and escape planning. Special consideration will have to be given the elderly of whom some 30 percent were found to be physically unable to test their detectors. Of greater concern was the finding that only 8.9 percent of the elderly had been involved in an escape plan. It was also found that households in which smoke detectors were required by code were less motivated to test and maintain them than households with owner-purchased detectors. In this same category, however, there was a marked increase in home escape planning and in detector cleaning following the literature distribution. Recommendations are made to communities and to the smoke detector industry on what would improve the effective use of smoke detectors.