Fire Marshals in Washington Want Amazon to Stop Selling Uncertified Smoke Alarms

Several smoke alarm brands have been identified as lacking third-party testing laboratory marks on Amazon, including X-Sense, Arikon and Bovon.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington Fire Chiefs Association and the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals have issued an advisory warning consumers about the online purchase of certain fire alarms.

The two fire service organizations are asking Amazon, the nation’s largest online retailer, to stop the sale of smoke alarms that are not tested to nationally recognized standards.

The products in question are smoke alarms that do not carry the testing labels from a nationally recognized third-party testing laboratory such as Underwriter Laboratories (UL) or Intertek/ETL, which are the two largest independent safety testing companies for electrical products.

The companies test smoke alarms in accordance with the UL 217 standard. Products not tested to this standard may not accurately detect fire, alarm the consumer in a timely fashion, and operate for the desired time period or other critical functions.


READ NEXT: Next Gen Smoke Alarms Could Significantly Reduce Fire Deaths


Several smoke alarm brands have been identified as lacking third-party testing laboratory marks on Amazon, including X-Sense, Arikon and Bovon.

“We are urging Amazon and other online retailers to stop selling smoke alarms and other fire safety products that do not carry the UL or ETL marks, or marks from another third party that has tested the alarms to the UL 217 standard,” Dunaway said. “We are also asking that retailers review their smoke alarm products and remove any non-listed products from their websites immediately.”

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Security Is Our Business, Too

For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.

A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.

Subscribe Today!

Get Our Newsletters