New Regulations on Smoke Detectors: Increased Precision Against Unnecessary Alarms

The latest regulations on smoke detectors, which came into effect on July 30, require detectors to be more sensitive to all types of fires and reduce false alarms caused by cooking. However, research from NIST, conducted in a kitchen fire laboratory, shows that these devices can still trigger unnecessary alarms during food preparation. Here are some expert tips to minimize these annoying alarms in your home.

In the NIST lab, surrounded by wires and sensors, researcher Emma Veley prepared a pan of raw bacon to test the reaction of smoke detectors. The sensors, mounted on the ceiling, stood silently as Veley placed the pan on a hot plate and turned up the temperature. Through a large window, Amy Mensch started a stopwatch and monitored the computer readings to record when each detector would “smell the bacon.”

“Six years ago, smoke detectors were effective at detecting fires but struggled to distinguish between real fires and cooking food,” explains Mensch, lead author of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) technical report on the new generation of smoke detectors. Although these devices have made significant progress, the issue of false alarms during cooking remains relevant.

Raising the Bar: The New Regulation When checking the back of a smoke detector, you should see a label indicating compliance with the UL 217 standard. This standard, maintained by the UL Standards and Engagement organization, sets the minimum performance requirements for smoke detectors. Since 1970, NIST has played a crucial role in the development and promotion of these devices, helping to drastically reduce the number of deaths from home fires.

On June 30, 2024, the eighth edition of the UL 217 standard came into force. For the first time, this standard includes a test to reduce false alarms. Detectors must now pass a test where two standardized hamburgers are grilled 3 meters away from the detector. The alarm passes the test if it does not activate during cooking.

Smoke Detectors and the Bacon Test NIST examined smoke detectors that comply with the new edition of the standard. Although these devices are designed to be more sensitive to various types of fires, the results indicate that improved performance does not always reduce false alarms caused by cooking. In a direct comparison between old and new models, the new detectors did not show universal improvements in reducing unnecessary alarms during cooking.

“The new regulations are effective in ensuring that smoke detectors are more responsive to all types of fires without increasing the number of false alarms,” says Thomas Cleary of NIST.

Tips for Reducing Unnecessary Alarms If the smoke detectors in your home generate too many annoying alarms, Cleary suggests a few solutions. Place detectors at least 2 meters, ideally 6 meters, away from the cooking area. Ensure that your home is well-ventilated to reduce the likelihood of false alarms. Additionally, many modern models are equipped with a “hush button” that temporarily silences the alarm.

A surprising discovery is that upgrading the stove can help reduce false alarms. During the study, researchers had difficulty setting off alarms with a modern stove, and in some cases had to use a hot plate to generate enough smoke.

The Transition to New Detectors The adoption of new smoke detectors will happen gradually, as manufacturers can still sell stock of previous models. There is no requirement to immediately upgrade devices. “It will take years before everyone has the new models in their homes,” says Cleary.

In the meantime, even fire safety researchers may find themselves dealing with unwanted alarms. “I hosted a pizza night and my smoke detector went off while everyone was at my house,” Veley recalls.

Glossary NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) : U.S. federal agency that develops technological and scientific standards. UL 217 : Manufacturing standard for smoke detectors. Hush Button : Mute button on smoke detectors.