Functionality of Smoke Alarms Located Nearest the Kitchen and the Role of Nuisance Alarms

Objectives: Forty-two months after installation, we described the functionality of smoke alarms located nearest the kitchen and determined the factors that impact the functionality of various alarm sensor and battery types. Methods: We analyzed data from a randomized controlled trial conducted in rural Iowa homes (n=628). Alarm functionality was determined using a smoke test. We used intent-to-treat and conceptual model approaches to model alarm functionality 42 months after installation. Results: Photoelectric alarms with lithium batteries had the highest rate of functionality (90.2%), whereas ionization alarms with carbon/zinc batteries had the lowest (76.5%) 42 months after installation. Alarms with reported nuisance alarms were 50% to 53% less likely to remain functional than those with no reported nuisance alarms. Alarms with a lithium battery had 1.64 times greater odds (95%CI=1.06, 2.54) of remaining functional than alarms with carbon/zinc batteries. Photoelectric alarms had 1.71 times greater odds (95%CI=1.10, 2.65) of remaining functional than ionization alarms 42 months after installation. However, when a reported nuisance alarms indicator was included, such effect decreased over 10%. Conclusions: Alarm type is an important consideration for areas near the kitchen. Photoelectric alarms may be more appropriate for installation nearest the kitchen despite their increased cost.