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“Exploding Smoke Alarms”

“Exploding Smoke Alarms”. Amy Teddy South Metro Fire Rescue Public Education Specialist 720-488-7164 a.murphy@southmetro.org. The Culprit:. WHO: BRK Brands, Inc. (First Alert) WHAT: Hard-wired smoke alarms

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“Exploding Smoke Alarms”

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  1. “Exploding Smoke Alarms” Amy Teddy South Metro Fire Rescue Public Education Specialist 720-488-7164 a.murphy@southmetro.org

  2. The Culprit: • WHO: • BRK Brands, Inc. (First Alert) • WHAT: • Hard-wired smoke alarms • Model: 4120B or 4120SB • Date: 1998 - Oct 2000 • DEFECT: • Undersized battery compartment • No recall issued by CPSC or BRK (yet) • BRK became aware of this issue & made a design change in Oct 2000 & newer units do not have this problem.

  3. History… • Summer 2002: BRK changed design • June 2005: BRK advisement (most current) • 3/13/06: phone call from “Dave” • 3/10/06: St. Louis story • 3/14/06: Philadelphia story • 5/4 & 5/5: CBS 4 Denver story

  4. What Happens… • Consumer replaces back-up battery with “Duracell” battery • “Duracell” 9-volt batteries are slightly longer than other 9-volt batteries • Improper contact with “Duracell” battery causes: • Premature draining of charge (within days or weeks) • overheat • expand • explode

  5. Reports: • Battery exploded while on the ladder to change, or shortly after removing • Series of “explosion” episodes • “Explosion sounded like a bomb in my home” • Many calls to 911 w/ fire response • Told to get units checked & replace batteries…..unknown cause • Premature and/or intermittent “chirping” • Unexplained alarms • affect of explosions on circuitry of the units? • Due to series of issues & annoyance (over yrs) = flipping circuit that eliminates electrical current to system & being unprotected

  6. Collateral Concerns • Death/Injury: • Disabled alarms • Reliability • Significant falls from ladder • Battery “debris” contact with skin and/or eyes • Cost: • $700 for an electrician to re-wire & install new units • Property loss

  7. Recommendations • South Metro Fire Rescue – St. 36 • Replacement batteries & units available • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) • “File unsafe product” report: • 1-800-638-2772 • www.cpsc.gov

  8. Preventive Recommendations: • Use caution (especially Duracell’s) • Do not replace alone • Wash hands after handling battery • Do not touch eyes • Proper replacement batteries: • Eveready 522: sold as “Energizer Max” • Recommended by Energizer • Eveready 1222: sold as “Eveready Super Heavy Duty” • “lower performance compared to the 522”

  9. Things to know… • BRK = 9120 • Requires installation of new bracket • SMFR = 4120 • Has silencing feature easily confused w/ test

  10. Types of Smoke Alarms: • Ionization • Photoelectric • Dual-Sensor

  11. IONIZATION • $5-10 • Easy access • Standard in construction? • Flaming fire • Sensitive to minute smoke particles

  12. PHOTOELECTRIC • $20-25 • Smoldering fire • Less sensitive to normal cooking, humidity, etc.

  13. DUAL-SENSOR • $30 • Both: flames & smoke • Battery operated • Recommended • “technology has existed since 1979 & unacceptable for company to continue to market inferior product”

  14. PREVENTION is key! • Smoke alarms are one component of a comprehensive residential fire protection program….. • Early detection is crucial to escape • Large homes & battery-operated alarms

  15. Next Step…. • Contract Electrician? • Purchase dual sensor & distribute? • BRK/First Alert • Battery only • Model 3002 • Kidde • Battery only • Model PI9000 • Hard-wired • Model PI2000

  16. More info: • www.cpsc.gov • www.brkelectronics.com • www.cpnhoa.org

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