Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, are the best way to keep your family safe from a fire in your home. However, not all alarms are the same. In fact, there two basic types of detector: ionization and photoelectric. Ionization smoke detectors sense high temperature, fast moving fires, while photoelectric detectors are better at detecting smoldering fires. Most manufacturers develop dual detectors to best protect the safety of your family. However, this is not always the case.

In 2006, BRK Brands Inc., the manufacturers of the First Alert brand of smoke detectors, was ordered to pay the survivors of a fire more than $7 million in damages. The lawsuit was the result of a fire in a family home that killed the family’s husband and a child. While the family had dutifully installed First Alert smoke alarms in their home, the detectors failed as they were ionization-only detectors. During the trial, the jury heard from witnesses who testified that the company was aware of the shortcomings of the ionization-only detector but continued to market the product instead of selling only dual detectors. It is estimated that a dual-detector would have alerted the family to the fire and prevented the tragic loss of life.

During this particular case, the court discovered over 750 complaints from consumers regarding the failure of ionization-only detectors during specific, sometimes deadly, smoke and fire events. Dual detectors have been available in the market since at least the 1980s and the marketing of an ionization-only detector as a protector of any family is ingenuous and unconscionable. Companies should be held liable for making and marketing inferior products. At Florida Trial MD, we believe that consumers deserve safe products along with the information to protect themselves and their families. If you have a product liability question or concern, please contact us online or call 407-244-1212 (Toll Free at 800-381-8299) for a free consultation.