Fire Alarms: Recognition and Perceived Urgency
Brian Meacham, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Majed Almejmaj, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Format: Audio MP3 Download: $18
Audio Compact Disc: $23

Occupant familiarity with fire alarm signals plays a major role in fire alarm recognition. While life safety codes require that signals be distinct and follow a specific pattern, little research has been done to assess occupant familiarity with such signals. To address this issue, an online survey was conducted, with a grant awarded by the SFPE Educational and Scientific Foundation, to determine the level of familiarity of the U.S. population with the temporal-three fire alarm signal and the perceived urgency associated with that alarm signal. This session will explain how the study was developed and distributed, in addition to presenting some of the findings.