“Exploding Smoke Alarms” Amy Teddy South Metro Fire Rescue Public Education Specialist

The Culprit: WHO: WHO: –BRK Brands, Inc. (First Alert) WHAT: WHAT: –Hard-wired smoke alarms –Model: 4120B or 4120SB –Date: Oct 2000 DEFECT: 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. BRK became aware of this issue & made a design change in Oct 2000 & newer units do not have this problem.

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

What Happens… Consumer replaces back-up battery with “Duracell” battery 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: Improper contact with “Duracell” battery causes: –Premature draining of charge (within days or weeks) –overheat –expand –explode

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

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

Recommendations South Metro Fire Rescue – St. 36 South Metro Fire Rescue – St. 36 –Replacement batteries & units available Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)  “File unsafe product” report: – –

Preventive Recommendations: Use caution (especially Duracell’s) Use caution (especially Duracell’s) –Do not replace alone –Wash hands after handling battery –Do not touch eyes Proper replacement batteries: 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”

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

Types of Smoke Alarms: Ionization Ionization Photoelectric Photoelectric Dual-Sensor Dual-Sensor

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

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

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

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

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

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