Media Advisory

Media Advisory Reporters Invited to Witness Fire Test to Evaluate Residential 'Smoke Alarm' Technologies
	New Types of Home Furnishings and Design Advances Prompt First Tests in 26 Years Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 Time: 10 a.m. - noon Place: NIST Large Fire Facility (Building 205), Gaithersburg, Md. Event: The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology invites reporters to witness the final burn test in a series being conducted to determine the responsiveness of different types of residential "smoke alarms." Smoke (photoelectric and ionization), CO, heat and combination detectors will be evaluated. Researchers will test the alarm systems by burning an armchair in a simulated mobile home setting equipped with data-collecting instrumentation. Reporters will be briefed prior to the test and will have an opportunity to ask questions afterward. Note: Since the last NIST comprehensive "smoke alarm" tests 26 years ago, many new types of home furnishing materials have been introduced and they--along with changes and advances in home design, construction and utilization--must be accounted for when designing the next level of smoke, fire and CO detection technologies. The NIST tests--part of a two-year, private-public program to advance detection technology--will provide industry with data needed to meet the challenge. Directions: Take I-270 North to Exit 10, enter NIST at the first traffic light (Bureau Dr.) and turn right after the guard house onto North Dr. Turn left onto West Dr. and continue to end of street. Turn left onto South Dr. and then immediately right onto Center Dr. The Fire Research Facility is near the end of the street on the right-hand side.
	Back to Calendar Announcements and Media Advisories

Media Advisory

Reporters Invited to Witness Fire Test to
Evaluate Residential 'Smoke Alarm' Technologies

New Types of Home Furnishings and Design Advances Prompt First Tests in 26 Years

Date: Tuesday, June 12, 2001
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Place: NIST Large Fire Facility (Building 205), Gaithersburg, Md.

Event: The Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology invites reporters to witness the final burn test in a series being conducted to determine the responsiveness of different types of residential "smoke alarms." Smoke (photoelectric and ionization), CO, heat and combination detectors will be evaluated.

Researchers will test the alarm systems by burning an armchair in a simulated mobile home setting equipped with data-collecting instrumentation. Reporters will be briefed prior to the test and will have an opportunity to ask questions afterward.

Note: Since the last NIST comprehensive "smoke alarm" tests 26 years ago, many new types of home furnishing materials have been introduced and they--along with changes and advances in home design, construction and utilization--must be accounted for when designing the next level of smoke, fire and CO detection technologies. The NIST tests--part of a two-year, private-public program to advance detection technology--will provide industry with data needed to meet the challenge.

Directions: Take I-270 North to Exit 10, enter NIST at the first traffic light (Bureau Dr.) and turn right after the guard house onto North Dr. Turn left onto West Dr. and continue to end of street. Turn left onto South Dr. and then immediately right onto Center Dr. The Fire Research Facility is near the end of the street on the right-hand side.

Back to Calendar Announcements and Media Advisories

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 8, 2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 8, 2001