In 2025, several publications and legal reports have detailed significant lawsuits involving fire alarm manufacturers and safety systems.
1. Class Action Against Kidde and First Alert
(December 2025)
A major federal class action lawsuit, Stapelman,
et al. v. Walter Kidde Portable Equipment LLC, et al. (Case No.
2:25-cv-02413), was filed in December 2025.
·
Allegations: Plaintiffs Michael Stapelman and Tammie Hays claim
that ionization-only smoke alarms manufactured by Kidde and
First Alert are "technologically unsuited" to detect slow-burning,
smoldering fires in a timely manner.
·
The Issue: The suit alleges that while these alarms react to
flaming fires, they often fail or respond too late to smoldering fires, which
are most likely to occur overnight.
·
Outcome Sought: The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive
damages for a nationwide class of consumers, arguing the companies violated
consumer protection laws by failing to disclose these safety gaps.
2. Samurai Mini Smoke Alarm Lawsuit (April 2025)
Following a recall by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), a lawsuit was filed regarding Samurai-branded mini
smoke alarms (Model SM1).
· Details: The lawsuit, Edward Briscoe v. Three61 LLC,
alleges the products were "worthless and dangerous" because they
failed to activate in the presence of smoke.
·
Legal Action: The plaintiff is suing for breach of warranty and
negligence, seeking to represent all U.S. residents who purchased the devices
between July 2020 and November 2024.
3. The Cooper Apartments Fire Lawsuit (August 2025)
Dozens of displaced residents from The Cooper Apartments in Fort Worth filed a lawsuit following a massive six-alarm fire in June 2025.
· Allegations: The suit claims gross negligence by
property management and electrical contractors, alleging that work by
unlicensed electricians caused the fire.
·
Impact: More than 800 residents were displaced, and the
lawsuit seeks damages for lost belongings and emotional distress.
4. Honeywell/Resideo Control Unit Litigation
(2022-2025)
A class action lawsuit continues to target Honeywell
(Resideo) regarding a "single data-bus defect" in certain
alarm control units, such as the Vista 20P.
· Allegations: The lawsuit claims the units were non-compliant with
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
standards because a single circuit failure could disable the entire system.
·
Connection: This legal action follows similar claims previously
made against GE and Carrier regarding Interlogix alarm
systems.