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Advances in Smoke Detector Technology
Recent advancements in fire alarm technology include the development of artificial intelligence designed to detect fires.
On a typical morning last September, Liz McConnell, a mother of four, was preparing to start her workday at her home in Dover. However, her routine was disrupted when a fire alarm sounded, prompting her to investigate the source of the noise.

McConnell's search led her to the tumble dryer, which was emitting smoke and heat. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that a part of the machine was on fire, highlighting the potential dangers of household appliances.
McConnell promptly contacted the fire brigade, which advised her to evacuate the premises immediately. The Kent Fire & Rescue Service responded to the incident, battling the blaze for several hours and ultimately leaving the McConnell family home partially destroyed.
McConnell acknowledges the crucial role that smoke alarms played in alerting her to the fire, stating that they are "essential" for ensuring safety in the home.
Despite their importance, smoke alarms have undergone relatively little technological change in recent years, raising questions about their ability to keep pace with modern life and the evolving nature of fire hazards.
For instance, detecting fires caused by e-bike batteries can be particularly challenging due to their potential to ignite suddenly. Researchers are exploring new methods for sensing smoke and fire, with the goal of developing more effective and efficient detection systems.
According to Suzanna Amberski, head of customer and building safety at Kent Fire & Rescue Service, the presence of a working smoke alarm can significantly reduce the risk of fatalities in the event of a fire. Her organization has found that approximately 6,500 smoke alarms in Kent properties had expired between 2022 and 2024.
A survey conducted by Direct Line in December found that nearly four million UK adults may be living in homes without any smoke alarms, while an estimated 16% of households in the US lack functioning smoke alarms.
There are two primary types of smoke alarm technology, explains Raman Chagger, principal consultant at the Building Research Establishment. Ionisation-based systems utilize a small amount of radioactive material to charge particles in the air, which flow between two plates and trigger the alarm when interrupted by smoke.

Optical-based smoke alarms, on the other hand, employ light to detect smoke particles. These systems are more effective at identifying large smoke particles produced by slow-burning fires, which scatter light and trigger a photoelectric sensor.
Heat sensors, commonly installed in kitchens to minimize false alarms caused by cooking, typically sound when temperatures exceed 50C.
The standards for evaluating smoke alarms were developed in the 1980s, but despite changes in building materials since then, smoke alarms remain a reliable means of detecting fires, according to Chagger.
Chagger has personal experience with the importance of smoke alarms, having had a fire alarm sound in his own home due to a tumble dryer fire. He stresses the importance of installing smoke alarms in the same room as potential fire hazards, such as tumble dryers.
The increasing popularity of e-bikes poses a new challenge for smoke alarm technology, as lithium-ion batteries can produce toxic and flammable gases when they fail. Stephen Welch, senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh's Fire Research Centre, notes that these gases can accumulate and ignite, resulting in explosions.
Experiments conducted by Chagger have demonstrated the rapid development of lithium-ion battery fires, which can progress from a minor issue to a major explosion in a short period.
Some smoke alarms, such as aspirating devices, are designed to be highly sensitive and can detect small quantities of smoke in a room. These systems are often used in commercial settings, including server rooms and data centers.

Niki Johnson, fire systems technical adviser for the UK Fire Association, notes that aspirating systems are commonly used in stately homes and other high-value properties, but can be expensive to install, with costs ranging from £3,000 to £4,000 for a single corridor.
The rise of smart technology has led to the development of wi-fi connected smoke alarms that can send notifications to users' phones in the event of a fire, providing an additional layer of safety and convenience.

Nick Rutter, co-founder and chief executive of FireAngel, explains that his company's connected alarms use a proprietary radio system to link devices and send push notifications to users' phones via their home internet router.
Rutter emphasizes the importance of reducing nuisance alarms, which can lead to people disabling or removing their smoke alarms, thereby increasing the risk of fire-related injuries or fatalities.
FireAngel has calibrated its alarms to minimize false positives and reduce the likelihood of nuisance alarms, which can be a significant problem in many households.
Kidde, another smoke alarm manufacturer, offers a subscription-based service that provides access to a fire monitoring system linked to the Ring doorbell app. For a monthly fee of $5, users can receive alerts and have trained agents request emergency assistance in the event of a fire.
Isis Wu, president of global residential fire & safety at Kidde, notes that the system can send alerts to users and ask them to confirm whether they need assistance before contacting the fire department.
Kidde's smart alarm also features a low-battery alert that is designed to minimize disruptions, such as alerting users during the night when they are likely to be asleep.
Future smoke alarm technology may incorporate artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect fires in video feeds. Researchers at New York University have developed a system that can identify fire and smoke in footage from any camera, including CCTV, doorbell cameras, and phone cameras.
The system uses machine learning to analyze the size, shape, and growth of fires, allowing it to distinguish between actual fires and images of fires on screens.
The researchers have also attached the detection system to drones, which can be used to help firefighters locate and respond to fires in high-rise buildings or other complex environments.
The team is currently working to commercialize the technology, with the goal of making it widely available for use in a variety of applications.
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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role
Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.
Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.
Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.
Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.
As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.
Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.
Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.
According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.
Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.
Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.
Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.
Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.
The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.
Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.
Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.
Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.
Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.
If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.
For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.
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Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years
Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.
It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.
The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.
During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.
Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.
BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.
It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.
The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.
Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.
Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.
The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.
A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.
The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.
It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.
The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.
Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.
Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.
News
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests
The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.
In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.
As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.
In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.
Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.
Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.
This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.
During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.
The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.
Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.
In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".
Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.
Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.
The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.
Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.
The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.
As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.
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