Smoke detectors can help reduce fire incidents in schools

A dormitory on fire in a school. [File, Standard]

The recent tragic fire incident at Hillside Endarasha Academy serves as a stark reminder that fire, while a useful servant, can become a merciless master. This incident highlights a critical yet often overlooked technology of smoke detectors.

These devices play a vital role in keeping fire under control, particularly in learning institutions. As we mourn the losses from this unfortunate event, we must seize this moment to revolutionise our approach to fire safety in schools.

Far from being mere items on a safety checklist, smoke detectors stand as our first line of defence against the devastating effects of fire. These vigilant devices provide crucial early warnings, often detecting smoke before it becomes visible to the human eye. In a school setting, where hundreds of young lives are at stake, those extra minutes or even seconds can mean the difference between a safe evacuation and a tragedy.

The Endarasha incident starkly illustrates the potential consequences of inadequate fire detection systems. Had smoke detectors been properly installed and maintained, it's likely the fire could have been detected earlier, potentially minimising damage and, more importantly, ensuring the safety of students and staff.

According to global fire safety statistics, the presence of working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 55 per cent.

Sometimes there are misconceptions about the radioactive materials used in some smoke detectors. It's time we address these concerns head-on and separate fact from fiction. Ionisation smoke detectors, widely used due to their effectiveness and affordability, contain a minute amount of radioactive material, typically Americium-241. This material ionises the air within a chamber in the detector. When smoke enters this chamber, it disrupts the ionisation, triggering the alarm.

It's crucial to understand that the amount of radioactive material in these detectors is extremely small – usually about 1 microcurie or less. To put this into perspective, it's less radiation than you'd receive from eating a banana or taking a short airplane flight. In fact, you would need to be exposed to the radiation from about 200 smoke detectors for an entire year to receive the same dose as a single chest X-ray.

Reflecting on the Endarasha incident, it's clear that we need to take three decisive actions to improve school fire safety. One is mandatory installation of smoke detectors every classroom, dormitory, and common area. This should be backed by legislation and enforced through regular compliance checks.

The other is regular inspections. We need a robust system of regular inspections to ensure these devices are functioning correctly. This includes not only checking the devices themselves but also verifying that batteries are replaced on schedule and that the detectors haven't been tampered with or obstructed.

Finally, public education. We must educate school administrators, teachers, parents, and learners about the importance and safety of smoke detectors. This education should cover not only the benefits of smoke detectors but also address common misconceptions about their safety.

The time has come for us to fully embrace this life-saving technology. Smoke detectors are inexpensive, safe, effective, and absolutely crucial in protecting our children.

Mr Mayaka is Director of Partnerships and Public Awareness at Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority