6 out of 8 smoke detectors useless
The majority of the most popular smoke detectors sold in France do not work properly, if at all
SIX out of the eight most popular smoke detectors sold in France do not work properly, if at all. The majority of models either did not detect fires or detected them too late.
There were more than 10,000 people hit by fires last year – with 327 deaths and 768 people seriously injured.
However, only 1% of French homes are fitted with smoke detectors and a law to make them compulsory in houses was ruled unconstitutional in March.
Most other western countries see up to 70% of homes with detectors fitted and the US, Britain, Canada, Holland, Belgium and the Scandinavian countries have seen their death rates fall between 50-70% since they were made compulsory.
The study, by the government-funded National Consumers Institute INC and published by its magazine 60 Millions des Consommateurs, said only two models conformed to the European EN 14604 standard: Kidde and El Home.
Only four models carried the NF French standard mark – but two of them did not conform to the standard.
One person in three will be affected by fire at some time in their lives and smoke claims more victims than fire. Even a brief exposure to smoke can leave a victim disabled for life.
The magazine has called on the consumer protection body DGCCRF to get the faulty smoke detectors withdrawn from the market.
