1. Subject Project – Smoke Alarms
Mathew Griffin – St
Subject Project – Smoke Alarms
Interim Viva #1

2. Grenfell Tower https://www.standard.co.uk/topic/grenfell-tower
Project was catalysed by Grenfell Tower tragedy. Prominent in the media, therefore stayed in everyone’s minds.

3. What fire detection systems were in place?
We know what the cause of the fire was. But the question that should be answered is…
This is a problem that should be addressed. What was at fault? Fire detection/prevention systems?

4. Key statistics:
Increase presence of working smoke alarms. People have no means of being notified of a fire or it’s signs.
False alarms was the major cause for all incidents attended.
7% in all incidents. Why is this?

5. Smoke Alarms – How Do They Work?
Ionisation – “There is a small amount of radioactive material (americium-241) between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm.”
Photoelectric – “A light source is aimed into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm.”
Since I’m researching smoke alarms, I thought it was necessary to research how they work. Two main types.

6. How are they utilised in public spaces?

7. Smoke Alarm – Primary Research
“Push the button, not your luck. Working smoke alarms save lives, make sure you test yours every week.”
Smoke Alarm - Kitchen
Main purpose was to gain an understanding as to how smoke alarms are utilised in public spaces.
Ventilation system useful for when there is a lot of smoke. Suitably placed near kitchen.
Smoke alarm stopper promotes regular maintenance of a working smoke alarm.
Smoke Alarm - Hallway
Smoke Alarm Stopper – Promotes regular usage and maintenance
Ventilation System

8. Smoke Alarms - Primary Research
Smoke alarm was beeping for no apparent reason. Had to remove the alarm and remove the battery. This was a troublesome process. Lack of knowledge was main cause for this. What could be improved?
Removing a smoke alarm and it’s battery:
‘Tricky. Felt exasperated.’
‘Wasn’t obvious what to do. No diagrams to help.’
‘Afraid to tamper with wires as they were connected to electricity supply.’
Smoke alarm present in the hallway. No smoke alarm in the kitchen. Additional smoke alarm in upstairs hallway.

9. Smoke Alarms - Primary Research
PD Studio
Learning Centre
Soft Model Workshop
Layout is not necessarily the problem. Placed in every public space. There could be increased ventilation? No sprinkler systems because of electrical outputs. What is in place to increase the productivity and reliability of these fire detection systems?
IT Suite
Student Union
Management

10. Smoke Alarms - Up Close Smoke alarm internals ‘Test unit weekly’
Old fire alarm. Examined it and took it apart.
Smoke alarm internals
‘Test unit weekly’
‘Warning: Battery not replaceable. See instruction manual.’
‘Test/Reset’
‘Rotate to remove’

11. Smoke Alarms - Up Close ‘Push to hush’
What is evident is that these instructions and guidelines aren’t immediately clear. You’re always asked to refer to the manual. Unaware that you have to test it weekly. Instructions could be made much clearer. Examine more products on the market..
‘Push to hush’
‘Hold to test weekly’
‘IMPORTANT: Refer to user guide for operating instructions and safety information’

12. Smoke Alarms – Notable Problems
Smoke alarms are often over-sensitive and unreliable. False alarms are often a nuisance and an inconvenience to someone’s day.
Lack of knowledge towards the safe maintenance and usage of smoke alarms. For someone who is inexperienced, this can make testing or using an alarm a hassle.
Some smoke detection systems lack the necessary means to tackle a fire i.e. ventilation and sprinklers.
Smoke alarms are unreliable/over-sensitive.
Rarely signifies an actual fire.
Annoyance - Inconvenience to someone’s day.
After speaking to several people…
Key theme is that people think smoke alarms are a nuisance to deal with. It’s a result of their unreliability and this results in lack of knowledge and experience.
Dissociation – People pay no attention to them.
Lack of knowledge on how to safely maintain the use of a smoke alarm.

13. Design a product/system that does one or both of the following:
Revised Brief
A working smoke alarm is essential in every home and public space. However, people may ignore them because they often lead to false alarms due to their potential over-sensitivity. These false alarms only become an inconvenience to someone’s day. This can contribute towards creating a negative stigma surrounding smoke alarms. People’s inexperience of operating a smoke alarm may also contribute to this stigma.
Design a product/system that does one or both of the following:
Increases overall reliability and productivity of a smoke alarm.
Educates the user on how to easily and safely manage/use a working smoke alarm.
Increase reliability – Less of a nuisance
Educates the user – Increases overall fire safety, prevents unnecessary casualties
Target User – Homeowners. Can still educate everyone though.

14. Examine more products that are currently in the market.
Where Do I Go From Here?
Examine more products that are currently in the market.
More Primary Research – Fire Services etc.
Question more people on their attitudes towards smoke alarms.