Universal Security Instruments, Inc. is unveiling revolutionary new smoke alarm technology in Booth 5212 (Central Hall) at the National Hardware Show, May 4-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. IoPhic™, Universal’s breakthrough Smoke Sensing Technology, uses "Advanced Smoke Recognition” to respond more quickly to smoldering fires than conventional smoke alarms, while also having superior nuisance alarm resistance.

“This technology responds 87% faster to smoldering fires providing extra escape time” according to Ron Lazarus, President, USI ELECTRIC. (The comparison is versus the maximum limits of the UL Smoldering Test Profile UL217 Figure 45.3.) “Yet, it also recognizes the difference between burning toast and a burgeoning fire.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nuisance alarms are the leading cause of disabled smoke alarms. About two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes without a functioning smoke alarm, according to firesafety.gov.

“We believe this technology will keep more smoke alarms in place, performing their life saving job,” - Lazarus said.

The National Fire Protection Association has long recommended both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarm technologies to be used in the home for optimum response to both fast flaming and slow smoldering f ires. Universal’s “Iophic™”, t echnology utilizes a single sensor t o achieve optimum protection, making it more affordable than a dual sensor alarm, and even more affordable than most competitor’s stand-alone photoelectric alarms.

Universal’s new smoke alarms include a Patent-Pending microprocessor which profices the following features:

  • Automatic sensitivity calibration: Sensitivity is auto calibrated during production, eliminating sensitivity inconsistencies which can potentially cause nuisance a larms. The majority of our competitors use a manual process.
  • Ambient Condition Compensation: Automatically adjusts sensitivity with changes in temperature and humidity, further reducing the potential of nuisance alarms.
  • Self Diagnostics: Performs a status check once a minute providing assurance the alarm is continuously functioning properly.
  • Smoke Alarm End-of-Service Life Notification: This is the industry’s first stand-alone smoke alarm to notify the consumer after the alarm has been in service ten years. Combination smoke/carbon m onoxide devices al so provide the seven year end-of-life signal for the carbon monoxide alarm.

This microprocessor also enables Universal to be the only source for a unique, new “4 in 1” alarm. In addition t o responding to fast f laming and slow soldering f ires, the new IoPhic™ product line detects threats from carbon monoxide and natural gas. There are 3 products in the Iophic™ product line, and 14 other Universal products which include the patent-pending microprocessor ( M-Series) with one or more of the features mentioned above. All meet applicable UL Standards and are expected to ship by August 2010. Headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, Universal Security Instruments has been manufacturing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and other home safety products for more than 40 years. Products are marketed under the Universal Security Instruments and USI ELECTRIC brands. Universal Security Instruments will be at Booth 5212. These new alarms are on display in the new product showcase area