A new standard for smoke alarms, effective July 30, 2024, requires that detectors be more sensitive to various fire types while reducing nuisance alarms from cooking.
According to research conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the latest smoke alarms still produce nuisance alarms during cooking tests.
This finding was reported in a recent study conducted at the NIST kitchen fire laboratory.
In the study, researchers, including lead author Amy Mensch, tested smoke alarms in a controlled lab environment.
Mensch said: “Modern smoke alarms are really good at detecting fires.
“However, they have a challenge with not detecting cooking, because cooking is almost a fire.”
The research shows that despite the updated standards, the occurrence of nuisance alarms during cooking remains a concern.
The updated standard, UL 217, was implemented on June 30, 2024, after years of research and development by various experts, including those from NIST.
The standard includes a new test aimed at reducing nuisance alarms during cooking, a common problem that often leads homeowners to disable their smoke alarms.
However, NIST’s tests revealed that even with the updated standards, nuisance alarms persist.
NIST researchers tested a variety of food items, including bacon and toast, to determine how well the new alarms performed.
Thomas Cleary, a participant in the study, noted: “Compared to the old alarms, the new alarms weren’t universally better at not going off during cooking.”
This indicates that while the new alarms meet fire detection requirements, they still face challenges in distinguishing between fires and cooking-related smoke.
Since the 1970s, NIST has played a key role in advancing smoke alarm technology, beginning with field tests that helped establish the original UL 217 standard.
These efforts contributed to a significant increase in smoke alarm usage across the U.S., reducing fire-related deaths by half between 1975 and 2000.
The recent update to UL 217 represents the eighth edition of the standard and includes new tests for both smoldering and flaming fires.
It also attempts to address the different strengths of photoelectric and ionization alarms, ensuring that both types are effective at detecting all kinds of fires.
However, the new standard’s success in reducing nuisance alarms has proven mixed, based on the NIST research.
Despite the new standards, nuisance alarms from cooking remain an issue.
NIST researchers offer several tips to help homeowners reduce the frequency of false alarms.
One suggestion is to place smoke detectors at least six feet away from cooking areas and to ensure proper ventilation in the home.
Additionally, many modern smoke alarms feature a “hush button” that allows temporary deactivation during nuisance alarms.
Upgrading kitchen appliances, particularly stoves, can also help.
The researchers found that newer stovetops often produce less smoke than older models, potentially leading to fewer false alarms.
However, Cleary pointed out that widespread adoption of the new standard will take time, as older models are still in circulation and there is no immediate requirement for homeowners to upgrade.
NIST has conducted research into the performance of new smoke alarms designed to meet updated standards that became effective in June 2024.
The new standard, UL 217, is intended to make alarms more responsive to different types of fires while reducing nuisance alarms from cooking.
However, NIST’s testing found that the newer alarms performed similarly to older models in terms of nuisance alarms.
NIST continues to offer recommendations for minimizing false alarms, including optimizing the placement of alarms and ensuring proper ventilation.
Despite ongoing challenges, the new standard represents an important step toward improving fire safety in U.S. homes.
