In 1976 U.S. Fire Protection Engineer, Richard M Patton, was the first person in the world to warn of the life-threatening defects inherent in all ionization smoke alarms.
The following is an extract from an email written by the report's author, Mr Richard Patton:
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12 November, 2013
"This was the first report that recognized the dishonesty behind the marketing of the ionization device.
At the time I had made major breakthroughs in the engineering related to fire sprinkler systems. I had also pioneered the first ever code for fire detection in homes. The makers of the ionization devices were specifically trying to "prove" that people would be killed by the fires before a heat detector (sprinkler) would sound and therefore smoke detectors were far more important than sprinklers. therefore don't install sprinklers, install the ion device instead.
I was trying to rebut that conclusion as well as expose a flawed device. The reality is that for at least 70 years the fire deaths within sprinkler protected buildings (without smoke detectors) was close to zero. The code I had gained national recognition for called for heat detectors (or sprinklers) throughout and smoke detectors in those rooms where there was a significant smoldering fire potential. Of course I took a lot of heat from all quarters when I published this report.
R.M. Patton
Fire Protection Engineer
Sacramento, California, USA
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In 1976 U.S. Fire Protection Engineer, Richard M Patton, was the first person in the world to warn of the life-threatening defects inherent in all ionization smoke alarms.
The following is an extract from an email written by the report's author, Mr Richard Patton:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
12 November, 2013
"This was the first report that recognized the dishonesty behind the marketing of the ionization device.
At the time I had made major breakthroughs in the engineering related to fire sprinkler systems. I had also pioneered the first ever code for fire detection in homes. The makers of the ionization devices were specifically trying to "prove" that people would be killed by the fires before a heat detector (sprinkler) would sound and therefore smoke detectors were far more important than sprinklers. therefore don't install sprinklers, install the ion device instead.
I was trying to rebut that conclusion as well as expose a flawed device. The reality is that for at least 70 years the fire deaths within sprinkler protected buildings (without smoke detectors) was close to zero. The code I had gained national recognition for called for heat detectors (or sprinklers) throughout and smoke detectors in those rooms where there was a significant smoldering fire potential. Of course I took a lot of heat from all quarters when I published this report.
R.M. Patton
Fire Protection Engineer
Sacramento, California, USA
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In 1976 U.S. Fire Protection Engineer, Richard M Patton, was the first person in the world to warn of the life-threatening defects inherent in all ionization smoke alarms.
The following is an extract from an email written by the report's author, Mr Richard Patton:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
12 November, 2013
"This was the first report that recognized the dishonesty behind the marketing of the ionization device.
At the time I had made major breakthroughs in the engineering related to fire sprinkler systems. I had also pioneered the first ever code for fire detection in homes. The makers of the ionization devices were specifically trying to "prove" that people would be killed by the fires before a heat detector (sprinkler) would sound and therefore smoke detectors were far more important than sprinklers. therefore don't install sprinklers, install the ion device instead.
I was trying to rebut that conclusion as well as expose a flawed device. The reality is that for at least 70 years the fire deaths within sprinkler protected buildings (without smoke detectors) was close to zero. The code I had gained national recognition for called for heat detectors (or sprinklers) throughout and smoke detectors in those rooms where there was a significant smoldering fire potential. Of course I took a lot of heat from all quarters when I published this report.
R.M. Patton
Fire Protection Engineer
Sacramento, California, USA
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