Residential smoke alarms are reaching new, advanced levels of detection and discrimination, and are being designed to help save more lives. Kidde, continuing its legacy of fire safety innovation, is the first smoke alarm manufacturer to receive certification to the UL Standard for Smoke Alarms, UL 217, 8th Edition, set to take effect in May of 2020.
The new Kidde smoke alarms utilize Kidde’s TruSense sensor and are designed to reduce common cooking nuisance alarms and respond faster to different types of fire. Kidde is part of Carrier, a global provider of innovative HVAC, refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
A new nuisance test is being implemented to help prevent consumers from disabling or removing alarms from service
Improve Overall Resident Safety
The Kidde alarms with TruSense sensors can differentiate between threatening fast-flaming or smoldering fires and some of the most common home nuisance alarms. The new alarms may also improve overall resident safety, as today’s homes typically contain furnishings comprised of synthetic materials such as polyurethane foam that are known to ignite and burn faster than traditional materials.
In addition to these synthetic materials tests, a new nuisance test is being implemented to help prevent consumers from disabling or removing alarms from service due to cooking related nuisance alarms.
UL Certified Smoke Alarms
The significantly revised UL standard incorporates new tests related to cooking nuisance alarms and smoldering and flaming polyurethane. These requirements are in addition to the standard’s wood and paper tests.
The three new tests were added to better represent the smoke profiles and behavior of modern home fires to help ensure next-generation sensors are designed to give residents more time to evacuate safely. All UL Certified smoke alarms are required to meet the enhanced requirements by May 29, 2020, representing a major change in the life-safety industry.
Smoke Alarm’s Ability
Manufacturers like Kidde have been actively working toward meeting the new smoke alarm requirements"
“Through our research in safety science, we know that fire dynamics have changed over the last several decades,” said Chris Hasbrook, Vice President and General Manager for UL’s Building and Life Safety division. “Manufacturers like Kidde have been actively working toward meeting the new smoke alarm requirements, and we are happy to see the first certification mark on a residential smoke alarm that meets these new requirements.
“While expanding a smoke alarm’s ability to respond to a range of the types of smoke generated from various types of fires, today’s smoke alarm will be more technologically advanced. New models that meet these new requirements will have the ability to help reduce cooking nuisance alarms, and that’s extremely important for residential fire safety.”
Sophisticated Detection Methodology
The technology in TruSense represents a more sophisticated detection methodology. As particles enter the chamber, the size of the particles is analyzed by a series of algorithms and consolidated into ratios to determine if the particles stem from a real fire or a nuisance source. This innovative approach was developed by Kidde engineers using advanced design principles and the Kidde state-of-the-art fire test room.
The new TruSense sensors will enhance protection of people and property by minimizing nuisance alarms"
“Kidde is providing customers with the latest in smoke alarm technology, building on a 100-year legacy of fire and life-safety innovation,” said Tim Corbett, Director of Product Management and Marketing, Kidde. “The new TruSense sensors will enhance protection of people and property by minimizing nuisance alarms and providing residents with more time to react.”
NFPA Statistics
NFPA statistics show that the majority of people who die annually in residential fires in the United States live in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Studies have found many of the alarms didn’t work due to being disabled by residents annoyed by nuisance alarms.
Smoke and combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms featuring TruSense technology, will be available in stores nationwide and online in the coming months.
