Consumer smoke alarm research welcomed by Fire Service

Consumer smoke alarm research welcomed by Fire Service

The New Zealand Fire Service says the latest Consumer NZ research on smoke alarms will be enormously helpful to people trying to choose the best one from a baffling line-up on the shop-shelves.

National Fire Risk Management Advisor Todd O’Donoghue said “It’s well known that smoke alarms save lives and we want to keep up to date on which of the current ones are the best options for the public”.

The Fire Service had been investing in Consumer testing of smoke alarms since 2006.

The latest research reinforced the evidence that photoelectric smoke alarms provided significantly more protection than ionisation models.

The Fire Service and Consumer advise people to replace their ionisation smoke alarms with long-life photoelectric alarms. “Ionisation alarms are generally good at detecting fast flaming fires, but not as good at picking up smouldering fires. Photoelectric alarms generally perform better at detecting both types of fires,” Todd O’Donoghue said.

Consumer tested 20 smoke alarms of varying prices and fire conditions.

Details on the best models are available at www.consumer.org.nz/reports/smoke-alarms.

Mr O’Donoghue said the Fire Angel long life smoke alarms installed by the Fire Service tested well, but did not score as highly as two similar long life alarms, Warrior and Aura.

“The detection performance of the Fire Angel is well within the range of what we expect from a smoke alarm. However, in light of this research we will review our choice to ensure we are providing the most effective alarm at the best price, and meeting the needs of some of our high risk communities.”

The New Zealand Fire Service You Tube channel has a video clip explaining how and where to install home smoke alarms.

ENDS

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