Citation

Tong D, Canter D. Fire Safety J. 1985; 9(3): 267-279.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1985, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the first section of this report the effectiveness of current fire alarms is considered. The second section goes on to examine the consequences for alarm effectiveness of providing information as well as an audible alarm signal.Reviews of the few earlier studies of existing approaches to fire alarms indicate a number of potential weaknesses with existing alarm systems. To further examine and clarify the validity of these indications 143 people were interviewed in two studies. In both these studies members of the public were asked about their experience of fire alarms and their interpretation of those they had heard.In general, a number of weaknesses which indicate the need to provide information as well as an alarm signal were found. Only 14% of those interviewed had interpreted a recently heard alarm as a warning of a genuine fire emergency. Current alarm systems were found to be associated with three distinct problems of public reaction: 1. (1) A failure of people to differentiate fire alarms from other types of alarm.2. (2) A failure of people to regard fire alarms as authentic warnings of a genuine fire.3. (3) A failure of fire alarms to present information which will assist fire victims in their attempts to cope with the fire.In the second section studies examining the potential of informative fire warning systems are reported. These are alarm systems in which messages are given about such matters as the location of the fire and the actions people should take. These studies were carried out by means of 14 in situ evaluations in a variety of occupancy types. It was found that an improved response to alarms could be gained from the provision of information, especially if this information were to clarify the meaning of the alarms, motivate a more rapid response and guide the coping behaviour which it was necessary to undertake.These studies also identified those difficulties which might be anticipated if informative fire warning systems were to be installed. This includes difficulties which could arise due to the need to integrate fire sensing equipment with fire compartments so that the messages presented were accurate. Other difficulties identified relate to the attitudes of people towards the potential of informative fire warnings. Of 72 people interviewed 27% were opposed to the introduction of informative fire warning systems and expressed concern with a number of possible disadvantages in a currently available prototype.