Opinion ID: 2046018
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The model 83R warning and the parties' contentions.

Text: The following information appears on the product insert pamphlet of the model 83R box. WARNING LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE DETECTORS: WHAT SMOKE DETECTORS CANNOT DO Smoke detectors have played a key role in reducing home fire deaths in the United States. However, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (an agency of the U.S. Government), they may not go off or give early enough warning in as many as 35% of all fires. What are some reasons smoke detectors may not work? Smoke detectors will not work without power. Battery operated smoke detectors will not work without batteries, if the batteries are dead, if the wrong kind of batteries are used, or if the batteries are put in wrong. AC powered smoke detectors will not work if the power supply is cut off for any reason.... Smoke detectors will not sense fires which start where smoke does not reach the detectors. Smoke from fires in chimneys, in walls, on roofs, or on the other side of closed doors may not reach your smoke detector and alarm it. If bedroom doors are usually closed at night, detectors should be put in each bedroom and in the hallway between them. .... Smoke detectors are not fool-proof. Like all other electronic devices smoke detectors have limitations. Smoke detectors may not sense every kind of fire every time. They cannot be expected to sense dangerous fires caused by carelessness or safety hazards. They may not give early warning of fast-growing fires caused by smoking in bed, violent explosions, escaping gas, poor storage of flammable liquids, overloaded electrical circuits, children playing with matches or lighters, or persons who set fires on purpose..... (Emphasis added.) The box containing a model 83R like the one Nathan Mercer purchased does not mention that an ionization detector may react slower to smoldering fires than a photoelectric detector or otherwise explain the difference between an ionization and photoelectric smoke detector. The user's manual for the model 83R that Nathan purchased generally describes how to install the unit, and as noted above, warns that [s]moke detectors may not sense every kind of fire every time. A BRK photoelectric smoke detector box states that [p]hotoelectric sensors are generally more effective at detecting slow, smoldering fires: fires which smolder for hours before bursting into flame. A BRK combination smoke detector box states that it is [e]ffective at detecting both slow, smoldering fires and fast-flaming fires. Gary Lederer, BRK's acting chief executive officer, testified at trial that the reason BRK does not explain in the product information for the model 83R (like the one Nathan purchased) the difference between photoelectric, ionization and combination detectors is that if we try to educate the consumer to that degree, we are going to confuse them. In its brief on appeal, BRK argues that the Mercers failed to show causation because Nathan never completely read the product warnings that came with the detectors he purchased and that the Mercers therefore cannot challenge the adequacy of the content of the information provided in connection with the smoke detector's performance limitations. [7] The Mercers respond by arguing that BRK did not adequately preserve error on this contention in district court. Upon our review, we conclude that BRK failed to preserve error on the issue of whether Nathan read the product warnings accompanying the model 83R detector that he purchased and installed in his home. The record shows, that in BRK's directed verdict motion, BRK made the statement that Nathan never completely read the product information of the model 83R that he purchased. BRK, however, did not explain how this fact established a lack of proximate cause concerning plaintiffs' failure to warn claim and did not otherwise alert the court to the issue. The district court also did not address this specific issue in ruling on BRK's directed verdict motion. We believe that BRK's mention of the alleged fact that Nathan did not read the model 83R product warnings was not sufficient to preserve error on this issue for purposes of our appellate review. Cf. Soo Line R.R. v. Dep't of Transp., 521 N.W.2d 685, 691 (Iowa 1994) (concluding that random mention of an issue in party's appellate brief without elaboration of supportive authority, is insufficient to raise the issue for [appellate] consideration). Accordingly, we proceed to examine whether plaintiffs presented sufficient evidence to create a jury question on their failure to warn claim.