BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1411
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Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Adam Gray, Chair
AB 1411
Eduardo Garcia - As Amended April 14, 2015
SUBJECT: Fire protection: type 1 clothes dryers
SUMMARY: Would require, on or before July 1, 2017, the State
Fire Marshal (SFM), with the advice of the State Board of Fire
Services, to adopt regulations and standards requiring a visual
and audible warning device on a type 1 clothes dryer, which
indicates a lint buildup. The bill would prohibit, after
January 1, 2018, a type 1 clothes dryer from being marketed,
distributed, offered for sale, or sold in this state by a
retailer unless the dryer incorporates a visual and audible
warning device that indicates a hazardous lint buildup.
Specifically, this bill:
1) Provides on or before July 1, 2017 the SFM, with the advice
of the State Board of Fire Services, shall adopt regulations and
standards requiring a visual and audible warning device on a
type 1 clothes dryer that indicates a hazardous lint buildup.
2) Provides that after January 1, 2018, no type 1 clothes dryer
shall be marketed, distributed, offered for sale, or sold in
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this state by a retailer unless the dryer incorporates a visual
and audible warning device that indicates a hazardous lint
buildup pursuant to regulations adopted by SFM.
3) States that a "type 1 clothes dryer" means an appliance used
in a residential living environment, including one that is
coin-operated for public use in a residential living
environment. "Type 1 clothes dryer" does not include dryers used
for commercial purposes.
EXISTING LAW:
1) Establishes the SFM in the Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection and requires the office to foster, promote, and
develop ways and means of protecting life and property against
fire and panic.
2) Requires the SFM to adopt regulations and standards
necessary to control the quality and installation of fire alarm
systems and devices marketed, distributed, offered for sale, or
sold in this state.
3) Prohibits a person from marketing, distributing, offering
for sale, or selling any fire alarm system or device in this
state unless the system or device has been approved or listed by
the SFM.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
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COMMENTS:
Purpose of the bill : According to the author's office,
"California is a leader in adopting fire safety policies that
set a national example and are later adopted in other states.
Dryer lint may seem like a trivial matter, but fire policy
experts identify excess dryer lint as one of the leading causes
of home fires in California each year. These tragedies could
easily be avoided if clothes dryers were equipped with a warning
system to notify users that there is a dangerous build-up of
lint in the machine.
According to information provided by the author's office, "a
2011 report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission identified fires originating in washers and dryers as
nearly 5 percent of all home fires occurring annually in the
United States. This number is likely to be grossly
underestimated, however, because nearly half of all fires that
originate in washers and dryers are identified as "electrical
fires" rather than being reported as fires that began in washers
and dryers. In other words, it is more likely that 10 percent
of all national home fires begin in washers and dryers. Of this
number, the great majority of fires (92%) begin in dryers rather
than washers, as is indicated by a 2012 report released by the
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). The NFPA report
also states that of the 15,456 reported home fires that
originated in dryers, 29% of the material first ignited was
dust, fiber, or lint that had built up in the machine.
Statistics are not available about the number of home fires in
California, specifically, so it is not possible to calculate
what percentage of California home fires are caused by lint
build-up in dryers."
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According to the author's office, "lint is a highly combustible
material. When it accumulates in excess in a dryer's filter,
heat from the dryer can cause it to ignite, starting a fire that
quickly spreads throughout the house. Keeping the machine
clean, and having it regularly serviced, can help prevent a
dryer fire, but it is hard to tell when a dangerous amount of
lint has built up. Detection technology exists today that
monitors the build-up of highly combustible lint inside the
dryer, and alerts consumers with a light and an alarm sound when
accumulation reaches dangerous levels and the dryer interior
requires servicing. Unfortunately, no regulations or standards
currently require this technology in clothes dryers."
The author maintains, "Technology exists to prevent dryer fires,
but we are not requiring it. When the technology emerged to
detect smoke, we required smoke detectors. When the technology
emerged to detect carbon monoxide, we required carbon monoxide
detectors. It's time, once again, to take a lead in requiring
the installation of basic, available, technology to keep our
people and our firefighters safer."
Background : Type 1 dryers are domestic dryers, which are
primarily used in residences, individual apartments or
condominiums. According to the National Fire Protection
Association, lint and other debris can build up in a dryer's
hose and vent duct, reducing airflow, backing up exhaust gases
and eventually creating a fire. In addition, many newer homes
tend to have dryers located away from an outside wall: in
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bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and hall closets. This results in
longer dryer venting conduit hidden in walls and ceilings. This
increases the risk of lint accumulations inside inaccessible
areas. The dryer has to work harder to force the air up the
wall, across the ceiling to the outside exhaust hood. Cleaning
the lint trap after every use will only remove a portion of lint
generated. Over time, even with proper care, lint will collect
inside a dryer's lint filter housing and restrict the airflow,
increasing the risk of overheating and fires. When an
obstruction builds up in the vent line, it reduces the airflow
of the dryer. Once the airflow of the dryer becomes reduced,
the dryer can overheat and induce a fire.
In support : According to the sponsor, the California State
Firefighters' Association, this bill would help to prevent a
leading cause of residential structural fires in California.
"Existing law requires the SFM to adopt regulations and
standards necessary to control the quality and installation of
fire alarm systems and devices marketed, distributed, offered
for sale, or sold in this state. Oversight of lint build up
alarm systems for clothes dryers is in close keeping with those
duties. In order to promote fire safety for our citizens and
firefighters, CSFA supports AB 1411."
The Consumer Federation of California writes, "Many consumers
are not aware of the dangers of lint buildup in dryers. The
lint inside of a dryer tends to accumulate in places such as
inside of the dryer and in the vent. Even if filters are
cleaned out regularly, the accumulation over the years can
easily be overlooked. Moreover, lint is a highly combustible
material, and in combination with heat omitted by the dryer, the
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chances of a fire are highly probable. However, current
technology is available today that can alert consumers with a
light or alarm if buildup of lint, a highly combustible
material, has reached a dangerous level. Unfortunately, these
regulations or standards, that can prevent disastrous home
fires, are not yet required."
In opposition : The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
(AHAM) writes, "AHAM member companies are committed to improving
the safety of all of the products they make, and clothes dryers
are no different. Our industry has looked closely at the issue
of dryer lint and any possible link to dryer fire incidents, and
we have taken appropriate steps to address any concerns through
the established safety standard process. This work will
continue in the future, but we strongly believe that this should
be addressed in the appropriate venue and not through the
political process. As a result, we oppose AB 1411 and strongly
believe that its inclusion in California law would be a mistake.
The requirements proposed in the bill would add unnecessary
costs and burdens to manufacturers, and they could increase the
costs of clothes dryers to consumers without offering any
discernible safety enhancement."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
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California Bay Fire
California Council of the Blind
California State Firefighters' Association
Consumer Federation of California
Humboldt Bay Fire
The McMullen Company
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Opposition
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Analysis Prepared by:Eric Johnson / G.O. / (916) 319-2531
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