Ohio Smoke Alarm Debate Heats Up
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IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) — Most house fires that involve fatalities have one common denominator — the home had no active, working smoke detector.
And to that deadly end, some communities are now mandating that homeowners install certain types of smoke alarms. this is a tale of two detectors, and it’s sparking a state level debate in Ohio.
We found some communities in the Cleveland area have passed laws requiring the more expensive photoelectric smoke alarms in new and existing homes. The other kind is the more common and less expensive ionization smoke detector.
The Ohio Fire Marshal has a task force working to study the two types of smoke alarms — and how best to protect homes and lives. If you thought you knew all about smoke alarms, think again.
At the venerable Iron City Hardware in downtown Ironton, we figured to get video of both types of smoke alarms. but they only carried the less expensive (about $9) ionization kind.
They sent us to a specialty fire protection shop across town that only carries the more expensive (usually $5 to $10 more) photoelectric smoke detectors. Those are devices they usually hard wire install — not usually in homes but commercial and industrial buildings.
Ironton’s fire protection officer says the state gives out the ionization detectors for public distribution. we found that, as a rule, ionization detectors are more responsive to high flame flash fires. and photoelectric alarms are better for slower smoldering fires.
So, which is better?
“It’s hard to tell which one is the best to use,” Fire Protection Officer Capt. Mike Mahlmeister said. “To me, having a smoke detector — period — is the best, whether it’s ion or photo.”
Mahlmeister and many others worry if the more expensive alarm is mandated, folks in and around Ironton may just opt out entirely — with possibly deadly consequences.
“With the economy the way it is, it’s tough to put strict regulations on people of which type to have” Mahlmeister said. “If you make it the more expensive type – it will be harder to get. they may not get one at all, or if you send them to the store, they may get confused on which one to buy, and just leave because they can’t figure out whichone to use.”
There are some even more expensive smoke alarms that use both types of technology.
Ohio’s fire alarm task force is expected to issue its recommendations in the next six months.
An instant recommendation is to test your smoke alarms right away.and if you don’t have one, get one.
Most fire departments will help get you a smoke alarm for free.
Latest Comments
Posted by: Get a CO alarm also on Jan 10, 2012 at 10:53 PM If you heat your house or have a gas water heater, you should also have a carbon monoxide alarm. they are also relatively cheap and save lives from CO. You can’t smell CO or realize you are suffering from it until it is too late. Posted by: C.W. on Jan 10, 2012 at 09:22 PM The combination photo electric / ionization are the type distributed by Kanawha County since last year. Kanawha residents who need them can call their local fire Dept who can get them from Emergency Management to install them.
