Raising the alarm

Latest research has found there are now 15 million ‘smart homes’ throughout the UK*. Over the last decade, the development of Internet of Things (IoT) and the notion of a ‘connected home’ has undergone significant developments. Initially starting as a sensational concept whereby fridges were envisioned to have the ability to re-stock themselves when certain items had run out, today’s IoT technology is supporting the creation of innovative products that are primarily designed to make life easier and safer for the user. 

Penetration of smart home devices has reached almost a quarter throughout the UK according to a latest statistic by YouGov**, with speakers and thermostats currently the two most popular forms of technology. However, both security and safety are fast emerging areas for IoT and connected technology, with a growing 3% of UK households currently using this type of technology – a figure that is set to rise. 

Monitoring dangerous behaviour

As IoT refers to any small internet-connected devices that record specific data and transmit this to a central location or device to be interpreted, it has paved the way in terms of developments for the overall safety of tenants and homeowners, specifically with regard to fire and carbon monoxide incidents. 

It's this ability to record information in real time and transmit data wirelessly via a secure cloud-based network that is providing local Fire and Rescue Services, Housing Associations and Social Housing Providers with the opportunity to bridge the gap between themselves and high risk individuals living in the local area by creating a constant dialogue via cloud-based software, which also helps identify any changes in individual needs over time.

This technology has been created by analysing the diagnostics from smoke and heat alarms involved in real fires, which has subsequently led to the identification of high risk patterns of behaviour and a series of false alarms that commonly lead to an actual fire event. This insight formed the basis for the creation of a unique patented technology, which features Artificial Intelligence (AI), to analyse the data recorded in smoke and heat alarms and identify patterns of high risk behaviour. 

By monitoring dangerous behaviour as it happens, it enables the unique patented algorithm to prompt a non-time critical intervention, which can potentially prevent a fire and subsequent potential fatalities from occurring. The system that is located at the core of the technology is continuously evolving, reacting to the date, time and even the weather, to automatically improve itself in order to accurately recognise high risk patterns of behaviour and a potential fire.

For Mark Ledger, watch manager prevention and education at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), this latest connected fire safety technology is providing Fire and Rescue Services (FRS), partner organisations and relatives with the ability to monitor some of the most vulnerable residents. 

TWFRS and its partners can receive real time updates of the status of all connected alarms within the properties, with instant notifications if an alarm is activated or if a person is in potential danger, e.g. if the alarm has been removed from its base plate. 

By enabling the remote monitoring of the smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms within a person’s property through interlinked alarms that report back to a central gateway which connects to the cloud platform, TWFRS, its partner organisations and relatives can ensure these vulnerable individuals are being adequately protected from potential fire dangers and are able to intervene sooner if required. 

For vulnerable tenants who may potentially present a greater risk, such as the elderly or those living with dementia or hearing loss, the technology provides additional reassurance to family members as they can access the app remotely to receive real-time updates and notifications on the status of the alarms. 

Shift towards prevention

Figures released by Age UK revealed that the number of those aged 65 and over is projected to increase by more than 40 per cent to over 16 million by 2033, whilst the number aged over 85 is set to double. The research also found 3.8 million individuals over the age of 65 currently live alone, and of these individuals, 58% are over the age of 75, totalling approximately 2.2 million people.

Latest government fire statistics also show that half of those killed in accidental dwelling fires are aged 65 and over. The risk of dying in a fire is also four times higher than average for people over 80, leading to the need for interactive fire safety technology that supports independent living by providing not only the tenants but their family with peace of mind that they are receiving ultimate protection.

However, it’s the ability to record the diagnostic technology these interlinked alarms communicate, whether that’s a false alarm or the activation of an alarm due to a real fire event, that is taking connected technology with regards to fire safety one step further. These sector advancements are prompting a shift towards prevention, in addition to reaction. Latest technology is able to detect the risk of a future fire event helping to avoid the repercussions of fire incidents and protect lives.

So how does this work? The interlinked alarms continuously send data back to the Gateway which then reports the events to the cloud platform regarding their status, including any false alarms. If recurring alarm events are recorded on the device, the unique algorithm is able to identify any potential patterns of high-risk behaviour and send a notification to the relevant individual(s), whether that’s a family member, landlord, social services or the local FRS. 

For example, if an elderly resident living with dementia has become distracted or forgotten that they are cooking a meal, and a record of false alarms are recorded on the gateway due to food burning on the hob, the algorithm will identify a dangerous pattern of behaviour, increasing the risk level of the individual and send out a notification to prompt preventative measures to be implemented to reduce the risk of a potential fire incident from occurring. 

Transparency & communication

It’s this complete transparency that is providing family members or the local Fire and Rescue Service with the opportunity to intervene if an individual is in potential danger of a real fire event occurring. Real-time alerts can be generated to mobile devices via app notifications, highlighting the risk of a future fire event and enabling action to be taken sooner. This supports increased opportunities for maintaining independent living for the most high risk of individuals, who still wish to live within their own home, rather than being moved to residential or assisted living. 

Mark Ledger believes this can be achieved because the technology is enabling FRS’ and family members to keep an eye on those who are most at risk of potential fire incidents by providing them with a pattern of behaviour. This can be intercepted if it is perceived as being high risk, to enable them to immediately react to all patterns of potentially dangerous behaviour before it has the opportunity to progress into a real fire event with possible fatalities. 

Mark also believes this will encourage data and information sharing between all parties, creating an open forum of communications that is essential to providing targeted fire safety advice to each individual and their own unique patterns of behaviour. It also enables the FRS and its partners to support interventions at the most critical moments, which is particularly important for those who have regular alarm activations, such as those living with dementia, who pose the highest risks.  

The ease of installation, supported by simplicity of use for both the individual and the FRS, has enabled TWFRS to install FireAngel Predict in the most vulnerable homes within Tyne and Wear, revolutionising the way in which reactive fire technology operates and provides protection to individuals. 

This facilitates a new level of communication between tenants/homeowners, landlords and their families, which previously may have been unobtainable and provides a step change in the way passive fire technology is used within the home as Mark and the team continue to install this connective technology. This is supporting TWFRS, along with Fire and Rescue Services across the UK, in aiming to reduce the number of real home fire events they attend, whilst also reducing property repair costs due to the fact preventative measures can be taken to provide a preventative action resulting in a possible reduction in actual home fires.

According to the UK government’s fire statistic tables, in the year ending June 2019, there were 215 fire-related fatalities in dwelling fires across England. Through the continued installation of connected fire technology, this figure should start to see a much needed decline as potential fires are prevented from actually occurring in individuals homes, particularly the most vulnerable of occupiers. 

References:

*https://www.smarthomeweek.co.uk/smart-homes  

**YouGov report: https://campaign.yougov.com/rs/060-QFD-941/images/YouGov_UK_2018_08_smart_homes.pdf?utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_source=list&utm_campaign=UK_2018_07_IndustryInsights&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiT1dVd1ptTXlPV0UyT0RFeCIsInQiOiJsUTBoaGdTSVwvU3MwZUF6eWY0V1BveHNTbmNoZFRyMU5WNk9cL0NRcnhVbTVNbU5nV0lKTHFXZHdaMjFvK2lyTTRpcVp3dFNRa1Y0RnVJYXpTRzQ0N1FQMGtsOGZnS3FGR3paenFadWFlR2VqTmVKTVp4SnlxUkRqbEI0MStKVXV3In0%3D

Nick Rutter is chief product officer for FireAngel. For more information visit www.fireangel.co.uk