As technology pushes safety standards higher every day, smoke detectors are adapting to modern-day fire dangers. Nick Rutter, co-founder and chief executive of FireAngel, is an example of this very evolution. With the introduction of internet-connected devices that utilize a proprietary radio system to link alarms together, Rutter aims to enhance fire safety and reduce false alarms.
The smoke detector technology we’ve used for decades has advanced very little since the standards were set in the 1980s. This stagnation poses big obstacles. New fire hazards, such as e-bike battery fires, can grow suddenly to become large and dangerous fires. Rutter emphasizes the necessity for modern solutions to meet the shifting landscape of fire safety, stating, “If we’re producing technology our customers can’t live with, that’s our failing.”
Her tragic journey underscores the importance of working smoke alarms. Last September, a fire completely gutted her home. She counts her smoke alarm as the reason that more damage didn’t occur. “Had I not have heard [the smoke alarm], I would have just been in there,” she recalls. Upon hearing the alarm she immediately called the fire department, a call that undoubtedly saved her life.
Even with the availability of smart technology, a significant number of homes remain without working smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 1 in 6 US homes does not have a working smoke alarm. In nearby Kent, Liz McConnell’s organization found approximately 6,500 expired smoke alarms from 2022 to 2024. This jarring statistic highlights just how important awareness and education about fire safety equipment is.
FireAngel’s innovations include smart alarms capable of reaching users via their phones when smoke is detected while they are away from home. This is a huge step in the right direction of this feature because it empowers people to act before they get in harm’s way. Rutter explains a key component though – that all these devices are linked together via a proprietary short-range radio system that helps them talk to each other.
The shortcomings of existing smoke alarm technology are common to the varieties of detection used. There are primarily two types: ionization-based systems and another unspecified type. Ionization detectors are effective for certain types of fire. They haven’t been enough to cover the full range of fire risks today, especially from lithium-ion batteries. As Raman Chagger of Forest Fire Management of Ontario puts it, these fires are moving at an “extraordinary” speed, making early detection absolutely essential.
In this guest blog, Stephen Welch explains another facet of fire safety associated with battery failures. “When a battery fails, it doesn’t necessarily ignite; it will often produce some off-gases,” he explains. When toxic compounds off-gas from constructed materials, they can build up to a life-threatening toxic and explosion risk. Welch warns that sudden outgassing can lead to catastrophic outcomes: “Nothing’s happening, then: outgassing and boom-boom-boom – all these explosions.”
The good news is that the industry is meeting this challenge by being open to smarter, more innovative solutions. These new technologies don’t just spot smoke, they can understand the shape of possible fires. Prabodh Panindre states, “We monitor the size, shape and growth of the [fire].” These innovations promise to reshape how people and emergency responders prevent and react to fires.
The costs of improving fire prevention standards are significant as well. Niki Johnson takes a deep dive into the costs of retrofitting buildings with advanced alarm systems. She says that just outfitting a single corridor can cost upwards of £3,000 to £4,000. Rutter really does feel that with adequate investment in proven technology would go a long way in helping save more lives.
As fire safety technology continues to advance, it is clear that a more proactive approach is needed. With the addition of smart technology, smoke detectors can do much more than protect against smoke or carbon monoxide; they can help reduce threats posed by fire emergencies. Whether it’s through linking alarms together or sending first responders real-time alerts of a home fire, innovators like FireAngel hope to keep more people safe.