A project nearly 10 years in the making, new smoke alarm manufacturing standards went into effect on June 30, 2024, and were created to address modern construction materials and home furnishings that have decreased the average amount of time people have to escape a home fire safely. In fact, average escape times have decreased from 10 to 15 minutes in the 1970s to just one to two minutes in today’s modern homes, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Homes today are, on average, 56% larger than homes built in 1970, with synthetic materials, which burn hotter and faster than traditionally organic materials like feather-down, cotton, wool, and linen, making up much of today’s furnishings. High ceilings, open floor plans, and popular construction materials featured in many modern homes also contribute to the faster spread of fire and declining escape times.
The updated smoke alarm standards are the result of several testing updates to make alarms better suited for the modern home. This new standard is now in effect for all manufacturers of smoke and combination smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms—and because UL 217 is cited in many building codes and state laws pertaining to smoke alarms for existing residential units, compliance is not optional.
More than 200 technical changes have been incorporated into the manufacturing process to better detect and warn of fires in homes built and furnished with modern construction materials. Most notably, three new fire tests have been added to the standards criteria—two polyurethane foam fire tests (smoldering and flaming) and a new cooking nuisance alarm test. According to the NFPA, nuisance alarms are a leading reason for disconnected smoke alarms—and roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. As reiterated by UL, disabling a smoke alarm could prove deadly, and standards matter when it comes to addressing this critical safety issue.
To meet these standards, BRK has updated its entire lineup of smoke and combination smoke and CO alarms. BRK’s latest Precision Detection alarms feature advanced sensing technology to detect smoke faster and provide early warning, allowing occupants more time to escape. They are also engineered to address agency requirements related to nuisance alarms, the often unwanted and nonemergency alarms that may be caused by non-fire cooking smoke or steam.
These Precision Detection alarms also include several models of 10-year sealed battery alarms, which are an ideal choice for builders. In order to make this transition as easy as possible on builders, BRK’s 8th Edition smoke and combination smoke and CO alarms will be readily available through well-established and strategically placed distributors, which can be found here.
Residential construction is a complicated process, but choosing products that help protect what matters most is simple. For more information about BRK Precision Detection Alarms, visit brkelectronics.com.