Smoke Detector
Smoke Detectors to Become Obligatory
In a study carried out by the French consumer watchdog the Institut National de la Consommation, six of out of eight popular smoke alarms on the French market did not work properly in tests they carried out on them.
In the light of the report the French government has ordered trading standards officials to carry out their own tests.
Similar tests also carried out by the consumer body Que Choisir in 2006 found that only three of the twelve smoke alarms they tested could be recommended for use, which resulted in some later being withdrawn from the market.
All of this comes at a time when a new draft law is currently making its way through the French Parliament that proposes to make obligatory the installation of smoke detectors in all homes in France over a five year period.
Around 800 people die each year from domestic fires in France and it is estimated that only 1% to 3% of homes in France are currently equipped with a smoke alarm.
The difficulty with any new law is going to be the practicalities of ensuring compliance, unless the government were to employ an army of ‘smoke alarm inspectors’, which seems unlikely! It could well be that pressure will be exerted through French house insurance companies to make it a condition of insurance policies.
However, even then there remains the difficulty of ensuring the alarms are installed and maintained properly.
We shall have to await the outcome of the passage of the law, and the no doubt voluminous decrees that will subsequently be published on the subject.
Best Smoke Detectors?
In the light of the above tests, consumers are also going to need clear guidance on those alarms to use.
In the INC study, the only two alarms that passed their tests were the Kidde 29FR and EI Home EI105B. These two detectors also happened to be the most expensive in the tests, with Kidde model considered to be offering best value for money at around €20.
The following alarms all failed the tests:
Elro (RM121C) ;
Fare (l’Alerteur) ;
Chacon (34260) ;
Astrell (610345) ;
Projex (HS 103) ;
Otio (D-200).
In these cases, the smoke detector either failed to detect a fire, or it did not do so in sufficient time, or the siren was not sufficiently loud.
All smoke alarms in France (and indeed elsewhere within the EU) must comply with the quality standard EN14064, and all alarms in the INC test were stated by the manufacturers to comply with this standard.
Indeed, four also bore the quality mark ‘NF’, signifying compliance with French quality standards, although it is not clear just what is the difference between the two standards.
Despite the concern expressed by the INC in these test failures, they caution consumers about spending a lot of money on smoke alarms, some of which can cost upwards of €100. They consider they do not necessarily offer better performance.
Learn more at http://www.french-property.com/news/
About the Author
David Yeates
Smoke Detectors Don’t Age Well
|
|
BRK 9120 Smoke Alarm No Box $22.99 |
|
|
Simplex Smoke Detector Heat Head Base 4098-9785 $29.99 |
|
|
Home Security System Cordless Smoke Detector Fire Alarm $5.99 |
|
|
System Sensor 2412B Smoke Detector $19.56 |
|
|
SPY Dvr SMOKE DETECTOR 4GB TF CARD Surveillance hidden camera NANNY CAM security $55.99 |
|
|
GE Wireless Photoelectric Smoke Detector LOT OF 2 $99.99 |
|
|
DC Smoke Alarm/CO Detector , from Copperfield!! $60.70 |
|
|
EST Fire Alarm Smoke Detectors Qty (12) SIGA-PS NEW $182.50 |
|
|
Innovations 40225 Solar-Powered 80 LED Motion-Activated Outdoor Security $89.95 |
|
|
Smoke Detector Wireless WIFI Nanny Cam Hidden Video Spy Internet IP Camera DVR $369.55 |
|
|
Smoke Detector Nanny Cam Hidden Surveillance Security Spy Camera/Recorder DVR DV $284.05 |
|
|
Space Age Smoke Detector Remote Accessory SSU-RA/R $15.00 |
|
|
FBI-XL4750SDT Smoke Detector $26.41 |
|
|
Smoke-Automatic Fire Detector 059628 $0.99 |
|
|
Smoke-Automatic Fire Detector S-2378 $0.99 |
|
|
First Alert Smoke Alarm with Photoelectric Sensor SA710CN $17.49 |
|
|
Hochiki HSC-224RA Smoke Detector Base $19.99 |
|
|
Qty 6 ~ ~ ~Lonization Smoke Alarm 126505 $29.99 |
|
|
Smoke Detector Hidden Wireless Video Camera RCA Spy Nanny Cam CCTV Home Security $299.00 |
|
|
Smoke Detector Hidden Internet IP Color Video Camera Web Spy Nanny Cam USB DVR $299.00 |
|
|
Smoke Detector Wired B&W Hidden Video Home Security Spy Camera CCTV Nanny Cam $160.55 |
|
|
Smoke Detector Wired Color Hidden Video Home Security Spy Camera CCTV Nanny Cam $189.05 |
|
|
4x 1/3” Sony Super HAD Color CCD 420TVL 3.6mm PIR SMOKE DETECTOR Spy Pinhole Len $209.99 |
|
|
MasterGuard Smoke Alarm/Detector Bracket $2.99 |
|
|
First Alert Double Sensor Battery-Powered Smoke and Fire Alarm SA320CN $26.87 |
|
|
Color Hidden Smoke Detector Security Camera SonyCCD $85.00 |
|
|
Wireless Smoke Detector Fire Alarm Home Security System $1.00 |
|
|
Home security system Wireless Photoelectric Cordless Smoke Detector Fire Alarm $5.69 |
|
|
PAL Smoke Detector Wireless WIFI Nanny Cam Hidden Video Spy Internet IP Camera $369.55 |
|
|
240V/PAL Smoke Detector Motion Activated Camera/Recorder Spy Cam Camcorder DVR $284.05 |
|
|
1/3″ CCD 600TVL 3.6mm Pinhole Fixed Lens Indoor Black Spy Smoke Detector Camera $81.99 |
|
|
Edwards SIGA-IPHS SMOKE DETECTORS QTY OF(4) NIB $120.00 |
|
|
Home House Security Wireless Smoke Detector Fire Alarm $5.99 |
|
|
System Sensor 4WTR-B 4-wire, i3 smoke/heat detector and Form C relay $55.46 |
|
|
4x 3.6mm Pinhole Lens Sony Super HAD Color CCD PIR SMOKE DETECTOR with 420TVL $210.99 |
|
|
NEW FCI (Gamewell) ASD-P Duct Smoke Detector 22 Avail. $49.95 |
|
|
BRAND NEW IONIZATION SENSOR BATTERY SMOKE AND FIRE ALARM DETECTOR~SAFETY $4.99 |
|
|
NEW 5806 PHOTOELECTRIC WIRELESS SMOKE DETECTOR $36.00 |
|
|
5 battery operated SMOKE DETECTORS boxed estate sale $7.51 |