BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1411 Page 1 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 AB 1411 Page 2 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 AB 1411 Page 3 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." AB 1411 Page 4 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 AB 1411 Page 5 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 AB 1411 Page 6 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 AB 1411 Page 7 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 AB 1411 Page 8