MIPS Project Detail:

Universal Security Instruments

IoPhic Advanced Fire Technology

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Company

Universal Security Instruments

Owings Mills

Baltimore

County

, Maryland

Founded:

1969

Website:

https://www.universalsecurity.com/

Company Description:

Universal Security Instruments Inc. (NYSE Amex: UUU) is an international designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of high quality, professional and easy-toinstall home safety and security products. From its founding in 1969, UNIVERSAL® has grown to be an industry leader, providing residential fire safety and security products from its own overseas manufacturing facility. The company presently has government regulatory approvals to distribute in 30 countries.

Beginning in 1973, UNIVERSAL began manufacturing smoke and fire alarms and has developed a complete assortment of UL-Listed battery powered and hardwired alarms, with various patented features. UNIVERSAL began shipping carbon monoxide alarms in 2000. In 2013, the company’s product line was expanded to include the industry’s first and only 10-Year Permanent Power sealed battery alarms. Powered by Duracell® Duralock Power Preserve Technology™, UNIVERSAL alarms are lithium-free, providing a safer, more eco-friendly solution to low-battery chirps.

UNIVERSAL has become one of the largest manufacturers of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms in the world. In July, 2003, UNIVERSAL was listed on the American Stock Exchange.

MIPS Project

IoPhic Advanced Fire Technology

Project #

4707

|

MIPS Round

47 |

Starting Date:

Feb 2011

MIPS Project Challenge:
Universal Security Instruments sought to test the company’s new line of IoPhic smoke alarms to measure their response to everyday nuisance sources, such as cooking smoke and steam.

Project Scope:
Nuisance (false) alarms are an ongoing challenge for smoke alarm technology, particularly for ionization, which is installed in the bulk of residential applications. A new smoke detection technology developed by Universal Security Instruments was hypothesized to have a significant improvement in immunity to nuisance sources over then-existing smoke detectors, as well as an improved response time for smoldering fires. UMD researchers validated the performance, capabilities and faster response of the IoPhic® alarm to smoldering fire sources, and the superior resistance to nuisance alarms.

Results:

Researchers found that UNIVERSAL’S IoPhic-based alarms were significantly less likely to respond to nuisances. This result is helping USI market its new line of smoke alarms, along with combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. UNIVERSAL has now incorporated this breakthrough technology into its line of lithium-free, 10-Year Permanent Power Smart Alarms. By developing alarms with room-by-room placement, UNIVERSAL takes the guesswork out of proper placement and designates the best technology type where it is needed.