- Author
- Gratz, D. B. | Hawkins, R. E.
- Title
- Evaluation of Residential Smoke Detector Performance Under Actual Field Conditions. Final Report. Phase 1.
- Coporate
- International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation, Washington, DC
- Sponsor
- U.S. Fire Administration, Washington, DC
- Report
- FEMA/FA-15, June 1980, 50 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- smoke detectors | residential buildings | fire alarm systems | fire protection | evaluation
- Abstract
- This report presents the first major effort to evaluate the effectiveness of residential smoke detectors under actual field conditions. Objectives of the study were to examine how smoke detectors perform when an unwanted fire occurs and to develop a data base to provide direction for future research in the performance of smoke detectors. The report supports previous research studies which indicate that smoke detectors in residential properties are preventing injuries, saving lives and reducing fire losses. The data was furnished by twelve jurisdictions, reporting on 1168 fire incidents that were responded to by fire departments. There were 1589 smoke detectors in the incidents reported. It was found that detectors provided the early warning to life threatening situations in more than 40% of the unwanted fires. A smoke detector alarm reduced the potential for serious injury or death in 27% of the unwanted fires; fire loss was reduced in 35% of the unwanted fires.