EXPLANATION OF THE GRAPH THE IMPACT OF SMOKE DETECTOR ON U.S.

FIRE DEATHS Line A is the percent of homes containing smoke detectors (nearly all ionization type). Note that the percent of homes containing smoke detectors increased from 4 percent during 1970 to 86 percent during 1990. Line B represents the number of fire deaths in buildings (all types) from 1970 until 1985 (data available at the time of preparation of the graph). Because fire deaths in homes equates to about 95 percent of all building fire deaths, the line B is pertinent to home fire deaths reduced by about 5 percent. Lines C, D and E are self explanatory. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) routinely claims that home fire deaths are only 80 percent of the U.S. fire deaths. But the NFPA data includes fire deaths caused by automobiles fires, forest fires and other outdoor fires. The important thing is to realize that as the number of homes protected with smoke detectors rose the fire deaths remained essentially the same. That is, the installation of the ionization type smoke detectors produced little if any reduction in fire deaths. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has claimed many times that smoke detectors reduced fire deaths by 50 percent. On page 1-24 of the Thirteenth Edition of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook (1969) the annual number of fire deaths is stated as 12,000. On page 1-5 of the 14th Edition of the NFPA Handbook (1976) the following statement is given: According to estimates by the NFPA Fire Analysis Department, the annual fire death toll in the United States has averaged about 12,000 per year over the last 20 years. During the early 1970s the Federal Fire Administration was created. When finally the Feds began collecting fire loss data it was determined that the fire deaths in homes were in the 4,000 to 5,000 range rather than 12,000 (including automobile fires). By then there were serious concerns relative the high number of fire deaths within smoke detector protected homes. Because the NFPA had replaced the heat detector in their fire code (NFPA 74) with the defective ionization device, based on falsified fire tests, there was a potential for the NFPA and others to be involved in legal actions alleging wrongful deaths. So, when the more accurate loss data was produced by the Feds, the NFPA promptly claimed a 50 percent reduction in fire deaths (from 12,000) due to smoke detectors. It never happened. Eventually a reduction in home fire deaths did occur, but not due to the defective, so called, smoke detectors. Analysis of the Federal data indicates the following factors: 1. Reduced deaths due to home heating systems. This includes a higher percent of homes having central heating, improved controls, reduction in kerosene heaters, automatic shut off of space heaters when tipped and perhaps less flammable clothing for small girls (dresses could be ignited by electric space heaters). 2. Gradual replacement of old homes with newer homes. 3. Better electrical systems in homes and circuit breakers replacing fuses. 4. Less house heating with wood fires. 5. More restaurant eating and less cooking. 6. Improved fire safety programs by fire departments. Perhaps faster responses. 7. Better safety features on appliances including TVs. 8. Better safety features on portable heating devices (hair dryers, irons, etc) 9. Some homes sprinkler protected. 10. Some homes protected with more complete fire detectors including heat detectors. Despite some improvement in the fire problem, little of which is due to NFPA activities, the fire death toll is far above where it should be. The truth is that for at least 50 years, more likely a hundred, there have been within-the-home protective systems that could drop fire deaths by as much as 90 percent. They are reliable and affordable fire detection systems and affordable, low cost, easy to install available water fire sprinkler systems. These available water sprinklers would not require large water lines, auxiliary water tanks or large internal piping. Simply installing a 212 degree F. sprinkler in kitchens off the available water line would eliminate fire deaths caused by kitchen fires. The reality is that virtually every major solution to the home fire deaths has been barred from general usage by the NFPA codes. R.M. Patton, FPE