Study of Effectiveness of CO and Smoke Alarm in Smoldering Fire

Abstract

One of the main causes of home fires in Japan is smoking in bed, and carbon monoxide poisoning and suffocation account for a high proportion of cause of death in futon smoldering fires. In this study, using a full-scale experiment room model, a smoldering fire initiated by a lighted cigarette placed still on cotton bedclothes was reproduced. The carboxyhemoglobin “COHb” concentration in the blood was compared by monitoring the change in the carbon monoxide “CO” concentrations inhaled into the lung during smoldering fire in a full-scale experiment room model. Early detection of fires and effects on a human body were discussed based on the data and the effectiveness of a CO and smoke alarm placed on an interior wall was examined. As a result, it has been confirmed that the CO detection function of a CO and smoke alarm placed on a wall enables early detection of fire effectively.