Over the past weekend of Friday, March 11^th thru Sunday, March 13th, the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company was alerted and responded to numerous residential automatic fire alarm incidents within our immediate fire district. 

(1)          Friday March, 10 2023 @ 20:56

Nature: Alarms - Residential (Multiple)

Location: HYD @ SECLUDED PATH & S PRESERVATION

Address: 33081 Secluded Path, The Peninsula, DE 19966

 

(2)          Saturday March, 11 2023 @ 15:17

Nature: Alarms - Residential (Single) - Smoke detector

Address: 20189 Greythorne Lane Seabrook, DE 19966

 

(3)          Sunday March, 12 2023 @ 06:42

Nature: Alarms - Residential (Single) - General/Fire

Address: 24849 Rivers Edge Rd Stonewater Creek, DE 19966

 

(4)          Sunday March, 12 2023 @ 09:47

Nature: Alarms - Residential (Single) - Smoke detector

Address: 29222 Kathleen Dr Baylis Estates, DE 19966

 

(5)          Sunday March, 12 2023 @ 17:50

Nature: Alarms - Residential (Single) - Smoke detector

Address: 28931 East Henry Place Baylis Estates, DE 19966

 

Illustrated herewith are the results of the emergency response situation as determined via the fire company responders:

1. Friday – March 11^th – Multi-story residential structure – No visible conditions after initial incident size up.  No responder for the residential alarm situation, nothing audible or visible from the emergency response standpoints – no conditions present from exterior evaluations of the multi-story residential structure.

2. Saturday – March 12^th – Single story residential structure – no visible conditions after initial incident size up.  Contacted residential occupant incorrect passcode given via telephone dispatch.  No conditions presents attempting to change batteries.

3. Saturday – March 12^th – Two story residential structure – no visible conditions after initial incident size up.  Made contact with the residential occupants and cancelled the incident dispatch.

4. Sunday – March 13^th – Residential structure smoke detector activation.  Proper password provided and culinary mishap residential occupants wishing to cancel.

5. Sunday – March 13^th – Residential structure smoke detector activation.  Proper password provided and self-cleaning oven with residential occupants wishing to cancel.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company wishes to offer this commentary to enhance operational awareness regarding these automatic fire alarm type incidents.

Preventing false alarms

The vast majority of signals from automatic fire alarms are not actual fires? 

Fire alarm and detection systems react to an increase in heat or the presence of smoke. Unfortunately, they can also react to things such as steam, cigarette smoke, aerosol sprays, and light smoke from cooking.

We understand that false alarms happen – but you should take care and make every effort to reduce the likelihood, and if there is a false alarm, take appropriate corrective action immediately.

Tragically, people have died thinking a real fire was ‘just another false alarm’. Most false alarms are the result of an activity such as cooking, smoking or hot works or sometimes simply because the system was not taken off-line when being tested.

It’s important to minimize the false alarms to prevent complacency. If false alarms occur, it’s important not to unnecessarily transmit them to emergency operations center by making immediate contact to your alarm system provider.

Why are false alarms dangerous?

• The 'crying wolf' factor – frequent false alarms in a building cause staff to become complacent and less willing to act quickly when the alarm activates.

• Unnecessary risk – we travel at higher speed to attend ‘emergency’ calls and accidents can happen. False alarms put the public and emergency responder crews at unnecessary risk.

Reducing false alarms

Thankfully, there is a lot you can do to reduce false alarms. Much of it is simple common sense – and part of your legal responsibilities already.

• Make sure the fire alarm design suits the premises design and use.

• Make sure the alarm system is properly and regularly maintained

• Investigate false alarms and work with maintainers to build in measures that prevent unnecessary recurrence.

• Introduce a suitable filtering process – a means to safely investigate why the fire alarm went off BEFORE calling for the emergency operations center.

The good news is you don't have to go on living this way. A smart smoke detector provides reliable protection for you and your family in the event of a fire.

What can cause smoke alarms to go off repeatedly?

Here are seven of the most common causes of smoke alarm malfunction.

1. Smoke detector placement

It doesn't take a lot of smoke to trigger the alarm. If your smoke detector is within 10 feet of a cooking appliance such as your stove, toaster, or toaster oven, then this may be the cause of your false alarms.

Some of the more high-tech photoelectric smoke detection devices are even capable of detecting a sudden rise in temperature.

Installing your smoke detectors beside a window or door is also a common culprit in causing nuisance alarms. The draft can interfere with the performance of the sensors, even causing the illusion of smoke with particles that have drifted in from outside.

2. Overcooked food

Does your smoke detector taunt you every time you slightly overcook your food? This could be a problem that has to do with your smoke detector sensitivity.

If your alarm is installed more than 10 feet away from your cooking appliance, but it still sounds every time you crisp your toast, you may want to test and adjust the sensitivity of your alarm. See how to adjust the sensitivity.

3. Steam or high humidity

High humidity carries dense moisture particles that your smoke detector may confuse for smoke particles. In extreme cases, the air is dense enough to scatter the light beam of a photoelectric sensor or cling onto the ions in an ionization chamber.

The same concept applies to steam. So, if your smoke detector sits right outside a steamy bathroom, you may want to move it to a different location.

4. Pesky insects

Take a look at your smoke detector. Do you see the chamber entrances where smoke can enter? They’re just big enough to fit a small insect.

Once inside, insects can set off the alarm by interfering with the sensors. You may want to open up your smoke detector to see if there’s a pesky nuisance crawling around inside.

5. A buildup of dust

A buildup of dust can also affect your smoke alarm.  It is recommended cleaning your smoke detectors with a vacuum brush attachment at least once a year–if not more.

6. Strong chemicals nearby

Smoke detectors are also sensitive to particles in the air that are released by strong-smelling chemicals. If you’re remodeling your home, deep cleaning, or using strong chemicals for another reason, this may be a cause of your false alarms.

7. The batteries need to be changed

Is your smoke alarm emitting a harsh, prolonged scream or a repetitive high-pitch beep? If your smoke detector is beeping, it’s informing you that the batteries need to be changed. Unless you’ve chosen an alarm that runs on a lifelong battery, you’ll need to replace the batteries at least once a year.