Latest news with #NFPA
The Verge
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Verge
This smart smoke alarm could be a worthy Nest Protect replacement
A new line of smoke and CO alarms from Gentex called Place is packed with smart features, including phone notifications, a nightlight, motion detection, and temperature and humidity sensing. There's also optional air quality monitoring and a camera/intercom. The four Place models start at $139, and are available now at The Home Depot. With the excellent Nest Protect now discontinued, many homeowners have been seeking an alternative smart alarm that can similarly alert them to a smoke or carbon monoxide emergency in their home, even when they're not there. On paper, this new line from Place might be just that. The base model, called Any Space, costs $139 and has photoelectric smoke detection, carbon monoxide detection, Wi-Fi connectivity, ambient temperature and humidity sensing, localized voice alerts, and a nightlight. It also features a motion sensor that can send alerts to the Place app, a useful security feature. It has most of the same features as the Nest Protect, along with some additional ones. However, disappointingly, there isn't currently alarm integration with smart home platforms, and the models are only available as hardwired devices. The more expensive models do bring some very interesting upgrades. A unit designed for the kitchen costs $249.95 and includes natural gas and VOC detection, in addition to the base model's features. A nursery unit, priced at $349.95, features both VOC detection and PM2.5 air quality monitoring, a white noise generator, and a camera with a two-way intercom — potentially replacing four different products you might put in your baby's room. A garage unit, priced at $299.95, provides heat detection (instead of smoke) and includes a camera and intercom. All the models have what Gentex claims is the first built-in low-frequency sounder alarm. Studies from the NFPA have shown that a low-frequency tone can be more effective at waking deep sleepers, children, and those with hearing impairments. The Place line interconnects via your home's wiring to sound all the alarms when one is triggered, and communicate over Wi-Fi to the Place app for smart features. These include getting notifications for smoke, CO, motion, air quality, and temperature changes. You can also silence compatible alarms from the app. The intercom and camera features are accessed through the app, where you can also control the white noise and nightlight functions. The nightlight uses adjustable and dimmable color and white LEDS. It can be set to always on, activate based on ambient light, or triggered with ambient light and motion, Steven Bedford, a product manager at Gentex, told The Verge in an interview. Currently, the Place app only integrates with Amazon Alexa, specifically for controlling the light. Bedford says they are working on a Google Home integration as well as exploring Matter integration. 'Our goal is to be the first smart smoke detector on Matter in the U.S.,' he said. Matter integration could allow the alarms to work with any Matter-compatible platforms, such as Google Home, Apple Home, and Amazon Alexa. While receiving an alert on your phone and silencing a nuisance alarm are great features of connected smoke alarms, smart home integration can offer a lot more functionality. For example, turning off the HVAC system, unlocking the doors, and triggering security cameras to record when an alarm sounds. The Place alarms are UL-listed, and while you may not have heard of Gentex – which is best known for developing automotive technology, including the HomeLink system that controls your garage door from your car – the Michigan-based company has plenty of experience in fire safety. Gentex developed the first dual-cell photoelectric smoke alarm in 1974 and has been selling commercial grade alarms for decades. A couple of new smart smoke alarms have launched in the wake of the end of Nest Protect. Kidde released two models in partnership with Ring earlier this year. The hardwired Kidde Smart Smoke Alarm with Ring ($54.97) and the Kidde Smart Smoke and CO Alarm with Ring ($74.97), which work with the Ring app to send you alerts. First Alert (now owned by Resideo) partnered with Google on the $129 First Alert Smart Smoke & CO detector. With a hardwired alarm and battery-powered option, these smart alarms work with Google Home and can integrate with existing Google Nest Protect alarms, interconnecting over Google's Thread and Weave protocols. However, neither the First Alert nor the Kidde models have motion sensing or the popular pathlight feature of the Nest Protect, both of which the Place alarms have. Unfortunately, none of the new models match the Nest Protect in terms of industrial design. It's good to finally see more options for smart smoke alarms arriving, but it's frustrating that none of them have broad smart home compatibility. It means you still have to pick a platform or use a proprietary app for a device that will be in your home for a decade.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
How to stay safe from firework-related injuries this summer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Independence Day is quickly approaching, with several firework shows like Red, White & BOOM! and community fireworks held for the holiday. Many people will also light off their own fireworks at home, but could put families at risk if not done carefully. 9,700 firework-related injuries were reported in 2023, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 42% of the injuries reported were burns to several parts of the body. 10 things to do this weekend around central Ohio for June 19-21, 2025 To stay safe while having fun for the July 4th holiday, the CPSC has some tips to avoid trips to the emergency room. Children and fireworks The CPSC urges parents to never allow children to use or set of fireworks, including sparklers. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sparklers may seem harmless but reach high temperatures when burning and can cause severe burns to the body. Instead of sparklers, the NFPA encourages using glow sticks instead. Setting off fireworks If you are igniting fireworks at home, the CPSC says to keep a bucket of water or a garden hose near you, in case of any accidents. Never re-light or pick up a firework. Do not drink alcohol or use drugs while lighting off fireworks. Light your fireworks one at a time. Never point a firework or throw it at anyone. Disposing fireworks When finished, let the fireworks complete their burning. Pour water on the firework or device with a bucket or hose before throwing away in the trash to avoid any fires. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Motor Trend
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Another Dumb Electrical Code Change Could Ban DIY EV Charger Installs
If the 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code is approved as proposed, it will become illegal in coming years for many U.S. homeowners to install their own EV chargers. The only thing stopping this from happening is a last-chance motion supported by Rivian to strike the clause from the code at the National Fire Protection Association's annual technical meeting on Friday, June 20, 2025. A proposed 2026 National Electrical Code change could make it illegal for homeowners to install their own EV chargers. Rivian and other stakeholders oppose this, fearing it will encourage unsafe workarounds. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next The change stems from a new addition to the 2026 NEC that reads, 'Permanently installed electric vehicle power transfer system equipment shall be installed by qualified persons.' As proposed, the 2026 NEC defines a qualified person in vague terms likely to be interpreted by states and code enforcement departments to mean a licensed electrician. The problem with the proposed language is that making do-it-yourself installations illegal doesn't necessarily stop homeowners from doing their own electrical work. It does guarantee, however, that any EV chargers put in by amateurs will be installed without the appropriate permit and the accompanying safety inspection. On Friday, NFPA members will vote on a motion to erase the qualified person requirement from the 2026 NEC. If that motion fails, the proposed language will become official code. The National Electric Code eventually becomes law when it's adopted by individual states. Legislatures can choose to modify or exclude certain sections (or even ignore the latest edition entirely), but many approve it with few or no changes. The drive to reject the qualified installer provision has public support from Rivian, the Electric Vehicle Charging Association, home-charger company Emporia, and other charging stakeholders. The companies have signed a letter that states, 'To ensure safety the goal should be that homeowners get a local building permit, and have their work inspected. Article 625.4 creates a new barrier to getting such a permit, and has a perverse incentive for the homeowner to lie and say they are installing a receptacle for a non-EV purpose.' The second part of that statement alludes to a back door homeowners could use to permit their EV charger installations in the future. Because there is no qualified person requirement for residential installation of devices such as water heaters and stoves, a DIYer could install a NEMA 14-50 outlet claiming they plan to use it for a welder and then plug in an EV charger after final inspection. The letter signed by Rivian also raises concerns that the above workaround creates a disincentive for hard-wiring EV chargers, which charging experts agree is safer than using plug-in units. Cheap 240-volt outlets are susceptible to overheating, which can start a fire. NFPA members will also decide Friday if the 2026 NEC will incorporate a second change that could make EV charging at home and at public stations less reliable. As we wrote in January, the proposed revisions require a ground-fault circuit interrupter with a five-milliamp trip threshold on every EV charging circuit. This would be in addition to the charge circuit interrupting device already built into every EV charger. On a high-power circuit like an EV charger, the low five-milliamp threshold will lead to frequent (and unnecessary) 'nuisance trips' caused by wet cables or standard charging behavior. Restoring electricity to the charger in these situation will likely require someone to reset the GFCI at the panel, which is often behind a locked door for public chargers. As with the qualified installer requirement, the GFCI addition is being contested at the NFPA annual technical meeting with a motion to remove it. Tesla, Rivian, ChargePoint, EVgo, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents dozens of automakers and suppliers, have all signed a letter of support for the motion.
Mid East Info
19-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority Receives the 2025 NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award
United Arab Emirates, June 19, 2025 – The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has announced that the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority (ADCDA) has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award. The award was presented at the NFPA Stars at Night awards gala on Sunday, June 15, during the annual NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. Established in 2024, the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award recognizes individuals or organizations who advance safety by applying and promoting the principles of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™. 'We are deeply honored to receive the 2025 NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award. Our strategic collaboration with NFPA has been vital in elevating our workforce capabilities and fostering a holistic safety ecosystem across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. As we continue to lead with innovation and resilience, we reaffirm our dedication to safeguarding our communities and positioning the UAE as a global benchmark for excellence in safety and emergency response,' said, H.E. Brigadier General Salem Abdulla Al Dhaheri, Director General, Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority. 'Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority has a forward-thinking leadership that is building a strategy around all elements of the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem to achieve real-world results,' said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. 'Their commitment to innovation, training, and outreach has contributed to measurable gains in public safety, including a reported 64 percent reduction in fire deaths per 100,000 people since 2021.' The ADCDA was selected for its comprehensive and sustained commitment to safety innovation, risk reduction, and capacity building across the United Arab Emirates. Of particular note is the authority's three-year certification program, developed in collaboration with NFPA, to provide advanced training for engineers, inspectors, and hazardous materials specialists. This initiative exemplifies ADCDA's investment in workforce development and operational excellence. NFPA's Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ emphasizes eight key components that must work together to protect people and property. ADCDA has taken a system-wide approach to address policy, enforcement, investment, education, and emergency response, serving as a model of safety leadership in the Middle East and globally. For more information about the Stars at Night awards, visit the NFPA Awards webpage. For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room. About the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority receives the 2025 NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award
United Arab Emirates – The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has announced that the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority (ADCDA) has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award. The award was presented at the NFPA Stars at Night awards gala on Sunday, June 15, during the annual NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. Established in 2024, the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award recognizes individuals or organizations who advance safety by applying and promoting the principles of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™. ' We are deeply honored to receive the 2025 NFPA Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem Global Influencer Award. Our strategic collaboration with NFPA has been vital in elevating our workforce capabilities and fostering a holistic safety ecosystem across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. As we continue to lead with innovation and resilience, we reaffirm our dedication to safeguarding our communities and positioning the UAE as a global benchmark for excellence in safety and emergency response, ' said, H.E. Brigadier General Salem Abdulla Al Dhaheri, Director General, Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority. ' Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority has a forward-thinking leadership that is building a strategy around all elements of the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem to achieve real-world results, ' said NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley. ' Their commitment to innovation, training, and outreach has contributed to measurable gains in public safety, including a reported 64 percent reduction in fire deaths per 100,000 people since 2021. ' The ADCDA was selected for its comprehensive and sustained commitment to safety innovation, risk reduction, and capacity building across the United Arab Emirates. Of particular note is the authority's three-year certification program, developed in collaboration with NFPA, to provide advanced training for engineers, inspectors, and hazardous materials specialists. This initiative exemplifies ADCDA's investment in workforce development and operational excellence. NFPA's Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem™ emphasizes eight key components that must work together to protect people and property. ADCDA has taken a system-wide approach to address policy, enforcement, investment, education, and emergency response, serving as a model of safety leadership in the Middle East and globally. For more information about the Stars at Night awards, visit the NFPA Awards webpage. For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room. About the National Fire Protection Association ® (NFPA ®) Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global self-funded nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at Contact: Ronak Thakkar – Associate Director - FleishmanHillard Mail:
