Smoke Detectors For The Deaf & How They Work

Smoke detectors produce very high noise during an emergency. But, even the increased volume is not sufficient for the deaf or people with hearing impairment.

They may react but after some time. In that case, the delay in time to respond becomes crucial for evacuation. So, it becomes necessary to make changes to the smoke detectors.

The smoke detectors must be audible for deaf people and people with complex hearing problems. This article will briefly describe the smoke detectors for the deaf and how they work. 

Types Of Smoke Detectors For Deaf Person:

There is a chance of 55 percent of dying even when the smoke alarm is present. Everybody must hear the current alarm and react accordingly.

It can help to reduce the time of evacuation. Some excellent smoke detector systems exist for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Some prevalent ones are:

1. Strobe Lights Fire Alarms

These alarms are designed for the deaf and hard of hearing. These alarms have flashing lights as well as alarming sounds. These lights start flashing when the alarm goes on.

So, those who cannot hear can see the flashlights. This makes them alert about the situation of fire. This alarm can reduce the delay in escape time.

Testing is to ensure that asleep people can get awake by the sunlight. However, NFPA points out that these alarms may not be effective sometimes. Like when they are sleeping, they cannot see the flashing light.

Also, it is suggested that some third-party labs should test lights.NFPA suggests one more thing about the Strobe Lights Fire Alarms. The suggestion is to use these alarms combined with mixed tic or vibrators.

2. Vibrating Alarms/ Devices

These alarms are passive in functioning. These are used in combination with the fire alarm. As the name suggests, they work as bed shakers and pillow vibrators.

These can also be some small devices worn on your hand. These get activated by the sound produced by fire alarms. These types of shaking/ vibrating movements can help deaf or hard-to-hearing people.

These can be bought separately as a new device. There are also sound monitoring devices available in the market. You can connect your conventional alarm to vibrators by sound monitoring devices.

NFPA says these are very useful during the 11pmto 7 am time slot. People are asleep during this time usually. So, vibrating alarms can play a crucial role during this time.

3. Interconnected Alarms

This is a combination of all types of alarms explained above. When one kind of alarm goes off, the other class starts functioning. Like when the sound goes off, then flashlights start.

Then after bed shaking, pillow vibrations begin to work. After some time, all these systems work together.

This way, the deaf or hard-to-hearing person can be aware of the fire emergency. This type of alarm has more chance of alerting people.

4. Mixed Pitch Alarms

These alarms are not designed entirely for deaf people. Those who have mild hearing problems or older people can benefit from this.

These alarms produce a lower pitch sound. The frequency of the sound produced is around 520 Hz. This is useful for people who cannot hear high-pitched sounds. ‘

The device usually works by sensing the smoke to trigger. The people are asleep and do not have any hearing or very mild problems.

They are likely to be using it more. The results have shown this alarm to be very successful in alerting people.

If you choose to buy one make sure you get the best smoke detectors for the deaf and blind.

How Would A Smoke Alarm Work For A Deaf Person?

Smoke alarms are designed specifically for deaf persons. It has been observed in various studies that deaf people are less likely to respond to high pitch alarms. NFPA suggests the same thing through studies.

So, the sound level should be designed according to deaf and hard-to-hear people. For sound levels, a low pitch is considered better for hard-to-hearing people.

Smoke alarms use other methods of alerting deaf and older people. These methods include flashlights, vibrating systems, or sounds of different audible ranges. Some alarms are a combination of all features like strobe lights and vibrators.

These use other senses of a deaf person to alert them. With the strobe lights, their vision comes into use. Lights are designed so that they can be observed easily for emergencies.

Vibrators do a slight shaking of your pillows to wake you. Some hand bands or watches come with vibrators. These are connected to the smoke alarm. When there is an emergency, the connected device starts vibrating.

In this way, they get alert about the situation. Some combination devices use all these functions sequentially and then simultaneously.

How Do You Alert A Deaf Person In Case There Is Fire?

A deaf person can be made alert by lights or vibrations. Different audible frequencies can be used to make partially deaf persons listen.

Much advancement is there in this field. New alarms with a combination of these alarm types are used to alert a deaf person.

The deaf cannot hear but can mostly see different lighting or movements. So, the main focus is to alert them by some other sensory part than hearing.

Some points are there to be taken care of for deaf people. The alarms must be:

• More than one in number. It is better to have an alarm in all the rooms. If not possible, alarms must be there, at least in all bedrooms.
• They are tested regularly for working correctly. This assures of being in a safe spot of being made alert during an emergency.
• The alarm needs to meet the UL standards. A good/ reputed company manufactures it. There are some excellent companies for alarm manufacturing. You can find them enlisted by NFPA.

Other than these alarms, CO detector alarms are also available. CO stands for Carbon Monoxide. This is a poisonous, odorless, colorless gas.

Laws for CO detectors installation differ in states and cities. This gas is usually not identified without any detector. So, it is good to use a CO detector at home.

The NFPA standards are there for CO detector alarms as well. As per the standards, the alarm sound must be high and low. It is advised to install these alarms at a minimum of 15 feet distance from the bedroom entrance.

Just like other alarms, CO detectors are also the same. These come with features of strobe lights and vibrators. Some are with a combination of all the features.

Essential Tips While Purchasing A Fire Alarm For Deaf People?

Some points that you should keep in mind while buying fire alarms are:

• Choose to devise in combination. This increases your chances of getting alert early. This can help get you awake and alert even when asleep.
• Keep testing/ checking the alarms once every month. It is essential to make sure that they are in working condition.
• Place the alarms to cover all the areas by the alarm sound or alert signals. Please place it in every room and at every level in the house. If the house is a single-story, put it in the dining room or central hall.
• Everyone in the house should be aware of the alarm’s outputs. Every signal and sound must be known to everyone in the house. If a single person hears it, they can make others aware. So, this knowledge is necessary.
• Third-Party Lab Tested and Authorised manufacturers’ alarms should be bought and used.

FAQ

Final Talk

In conclusion, we can say that fire alarms for the deaf are available nowadays. These can be installed very quickly and are highly suggested to everyone. Every step is taken in the deaf fire alarms to make them benefit from these. Hard-to-hearing people can also help here. Advancements ensure the inclusion of all kinds of people in society. Alerting and Evacuating people from smoke and fire is the first duty of all alarms.