Presenter: Ronald Farr

As part of Underwriters Laboratories’ ongoing work under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program, UL conducted a series of full-scale residential fire and smoke experiments at UL’s fire research and test center in Northbrook, Illinois, during the first part of 2012. A part of these tests focused on smoke alarm responses in flaming and smoldering fire situations. Issues addressed were smoke alarm placement, responsiveness based on the type of alarm and where they were located within the home, as well as audibility of the alarms throughout the homes. This program will provide an overview of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms, how smoke alarms obtain a listing based on UL 217 criteria, basic code requirements, correct placement, and how to prevent unwanted/nuisance alarms.