Efficiency of Fire Protection Devices in Buildings: Evidence from Response data

This study investigates the effectiveness of fire protection devices, such as smoke detectors, portable fire extinguishers, automatic fire alarms, sprinklers etc., in different types of buildings in Sweden. It contributes two aspects not taken into account in other studies of the effect of fire protection devices. First, response time is taken into account and, second, multiple fire protection devices are considered together. The results show that, for most types of buildings, automatic alarms directly connected to fire and rescue services are important in reducing the number and spread of fires. Smoke detectors and portable fire extinguishers are important fire protections in residential buildings, which normally do not have automatic alarms.