As of June 2024, all businesses are required to be in compliance with the UL 268 7th edition standards. The new edition requires detectors to pass three additional new fire tests—flaming polyurethane foam test, the smoldering polyurethane foam test, and the nuisance alarm test. Thus, to become compliant with the new standard, new generations of detectors are required to pass the new tests. For Simplex, this means discontinuing the old UL 268 6th edition detectors, and replacing them with new, compliant models. Furthermore, it is vital to replace your detectors in order to remain compliant with the current standards. Keep reading to learn about Simplex’s replacement detectors and about the significance of UL 268 7th edition.
UL 268 7th edition introduces a new standard of performance for smoke detector sensitivity and nuisance alarms. However, why is it now so important to improve these factors as much as possible? Data shows that false alarms are the most significant contributor to the deliberate disarming of smoke detectors by occupants. This means that reducing the number of false alarms will lead to more active smoke detectors in buildings, and thus, less instances of fatal fire emergencies. Moreover, nuisance alarms lead to undesirable costs, interruptions, and unwanted fire department responses. To add, having many nuisance alarms may lead to a slower reaction during a real fire event.
At the same time, new construction trends in homes and businesses are also causing fires to grow faster, leading to more dangerous fire conditions. The shift in building materials from natural woods and fibers to low-cost synthetic materials, such as polyurethane foam is a major cause behind lower escape times in newer constructed buildings. Accordingly, polyurethane is able to burn much hotter, release more toxic fumes, and spread flames faster than the natural materials that were more prevalent in the last few decades. Furthermore, the size of the average home has increased since the first definition of the UL 268 standard. The size of the average home has gone from 1,660 ft2 in 1973 to 2,565 ft2 in 2018. This effectively translates to having approximately 3 minutes to evacuate the premises, compared to around 17 minutes in 1973 under similar conditions.
Worker spraying polyurethane foam to insulate a wooden house
The biggest change made in UL 268 7th edition is the addition of three new tests. Namely, the cooking nuisance test, the flaming polyurethane foam test, and the smoldering polyurethane foam test. These tests ensure that new detectors can handle fast burning fires and nuisance alarms, which have become extremely prevalent.
Research has found that the most common cause of false alarms are cooking activities. Consequently, the primary objective of the test is to evaluate how well the smoke detector can differentiate between actual fire threats and benign smoke produced during common cooking scenarios. And so, the test involves cooking two frozen hamburgers on a broiler tray inside an electric range. The smoke build rate during the test must be in accordance with the beam and MIC smoke profiles, and the hamburgers cannot transition into flames. If the detector doesn’t activate before 1.5% per foot obscuration, then it meets the criteria for the new standards.
The flaming polyurethane test is an essential addition to the UL 268 7th standard, developed to address the dangers posed by modern furnishings. This test evaluates how well detectors can respond to flames from these new products, with stringent requirements for sensitivity. The test specifically examines detectors’ performance under conditions created by flaming polyurethane, requiring activation before reaching a smoke obscuration limit of 5% per foot. This enhancement ensures that detectors are capable of alerting occupants immediately, thereby reducing the risk of fatalities and injuries in the modern home environment.
The smoldering polyurethane test complements the flaming test by focusing on fires that smolder rather than ignite immediately, which can emit toxic smoke without visible flames. With an escape time of only around 3 minutes in modern homes, early warning is vital to makes homes safer. This test assesses how effectively detectors respond to smoke produced by smoldering polyurethane, requiring activation before reaching a smoke obscuration limit of 12% per foot. By implementing this test, the UL 268 7th edition ensures that smoke detectors are better equipped to protect occupants from the dangers of smoldering fires, which often develop unnoticed but can quickly escalate into life-threatening situations.
The nuisance alarm test, together with the flaming and smoldering polyurethane tests represent a significant advancement in fire safety standards. However, designing detectors that can meet the standards of all three tests is a challenge. Conventional, photoelectric or ionization detectors will not likely be able to meet the new requirements. Instead, smart detection technology that is multi-criteria will be needed. To meet these requirements, Simplex released a new generation of advanced detectors that can meet the standards in UL 268 7th edition. The products shown below are being discontinued and Simplex will cease manufacturing of the old parts, as they are not UL 268 7th approved.
| Discontinued | Notes | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 4098-9754 | - | 4098-9764 |
| 4098-9754IND | - | 4098-9764 |
| 4098-9754EA | Option to use 4098-9714EA and 4098-9733EA | No direct replacement |
| GSA4098-9754 | - | 4098-9764BA |
| 4098-9779 | - | 4098-9764BK |
| 4098-9757 | - | 4098-9714 and its compatible base |
| GSA4098-9757 | - | GSA4098-9714 and its compatible base |
| 4098-9788 | This base replacement will require sensor head replacement as well | Intelligent conventionall product line if used with 4096xx series conventional detectors. |
| 4098-9788E | - | None |
| 4098-9795 | Used with 4098-9754. This base replacement will require sensor head replacement as well. | 4098-9764 and its compatible base |
| GSA4098-9795 | Used with GSA 4098-9754. This base replacement will require sensor head replacement as well. | 4098-976BA and its compatible base |
| 4098-9796 | Used with 4098-9754. This base replacement will require sensor head replacement as well. | 4098-9764 and its compatible base |
| 4098-9796EA | Used with 4098-9754EA. | None |
In light of the recent updates to the UL 268 7th Edition, it’s crucial to replace outdated smoke detectors with new, compliant models. These advancements significantly enhance fire detection capabilities, particularly in modern furnishings and reduce unwanted nuisance alarms from cooking. Upgrading your smoke detectors not only ensures better safety for occupants but also reduces the costs that are associated with nuisance alarms.
At FireAlarm.com, we understand the importance of fire and life safety compliance. Our expert team is ready to assist you with systems design, installation, inspection, and maintenance services tailored to your needs. Don’t compromise on safety—ensure your systems are up to date and effective. Reach out to us today to discuss how we can support you in achieving optimal fire safety in your building.
