The smoke detector – best invention of the past 20 years? asks John Steel, CEO of an intruder and fire alarm-monitoring firm MyGARD.
Born in 1969, the smoke detector was recently voted the best invention of the past two decades ahead of mobile phones, microwave ovens and must-have gadgets like digital cameras. The potentially life-saving device is hailed for its ability to detect the early signs of fire. While commendable, I am concerned that the smoke detector does not go far enough in terms of fire prevention and could be made even more effective. What happens if a fire starts when no one is home?
It goes without saying that smoke detectors save lives, it is also without question that every property whether it is a home or workplace, should have one. Smoke detectors are indeed vital in the battle to protect against the risk of fire. That said, my main concern is what happens if a fire occurs when the property is empty and there is no-one at home to hear it? How many times have you got to work and thought, ‘have I left the iron or hairdryer on’ or ‘did I turn the hob off after cooking my breakfast’? Leaving the iron or cooker switched on can result in a fire and although a smoke detector will offer some peace of mind should the worst happen, it will not stop the fire from actually taking hold as there is no one there to hear it and take appropriate action.
We all know that fire kills, we also know that 43 per cent of businesses that are destroyed by fire never reopen. The issue is not always about saving lives but saving someone’s home or business too. Fire affects us all in one way or another, which makes prevention everyone’s problem. The question begs why aren’t we looking at ways of making the smoke detector 100pc effective regardless of whether the building is empty of full of people?
I believe we have now reached a stage in the development of fire prevention and safety where we do have the power and the technology to make a bigger difference. When a smoke detector alarm sounds from inside a building and you are present you can hear its piercing tones. A passer-by walking past your property while you are out will not hear your smoke alarm through the closed windows and double-glazing and, if a fire ignites while you are out, it is likely to be too late. What is needed is a device that recognises all of your alarm sounds, whether that is your burglar, smoke detector or carbon monoxide alarm. As soon as the alarm is activated it should alert the key holders immediately to enable them to deal with the situation before the fire takes hold.
If smoke detector alarms were monitored like many burglar alarm systems today, it would mean the device is 100pc effective. If smoke detectors could save people’s homes and businesses as well as their lives they would arguably be the best invention to date, by far.
