Dryer Fire Protection

In 2010, an estimated 16,800 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines (including combination washer/dryers) resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 civilian injuries, and $236 million in direct property damage.

Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, causing excessive heat build-up.

• The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (22%). Eight percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.
• The risk of fire is roughly equal for gas-fuelled clothes dryers and electric-powered clothes dryers.

Reducing the risk with Watermist Fire Protection

Automist is trusted in both the UK and US with over 10,000 installations. It can be installed with reduced plumbing requirements, no tank or commercial water supply required, and less disruption because it uses flexible hosing and does not have to be fitted in the ceiling. It uses an infrared sensor to detect the fire using our proprietary, intelligent fire detection algorithm. A reliable integrated early warning smoke and heat combination alarm is part of every installation to raise the alarm long before the fire starts to emerge. This sensor can be coupled with a communications device for remote monitoring to inform a responsible person or call for help.
 

 

According to the live burn demonstrations conducted by Q Dot Engineering studied and observed by Fire Research and Technology, LLC, the use of Automist Smartscan could definitely reduce the severity of property losses and save lives from ensuing dryer fires.

Jason Karasinski President of Fire Research and Technology, LLC (FRT) & Leading Expert on Dryer Fires