Smoke alarms
Smoke alarm installation, upgrades and safety checks
Besides being the law, why do you need smoke alarms inside your home? Smoke alarms save lives and properties!
Most fatal fires happen at night when people are asleep. However, whether day or night, a sleeping person is unable to smell smoke. When a smoke alarm sounds, this will wake the occupants alerting them to the danger and giving them more time to escape to safety.
Home insurance: Installed smoke alarms are a legal requirement right across Australia, therefore potentially, insurance providers may make smoke alarms a prerequisite for obtaining home insurance.
Changes to residential smoke alarm legislation ...
There are currently 2 types of smoke alarms used in Australia – ionization smoke alarms and photoelectric smoke alarms. In January 2017, smoke alarm legislation was changed and all homes are now required to install 'interconnected' photoelectric smoke alarms (also referred to as ‘linked' smoke alarms) in every bedroom, in all hallways and on every level of the home.
The smoke alarm legislation timeline is:
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from 1 January 2022, landlords must have installed interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in their rental properties; and
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by 2027, owner-occupiers must have installed interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in their home.
Are your smoke alarms working and meeting legislation requirements?
If you are unsure what type of smoke alarms you currently have or want to ensure your home meets the new Australian codes, please don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange an inspection.
PEK Electrical and Data Services can supply, install, upgrade and maintain smoke alarms. These services include:
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compliance checking of existing smoke alarms
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advice on the type, location and number of smoke alarms required for your property
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installation of new interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms (linked smoke alarms)
Useful links to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Website
https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/prepare/fire/smoke-alarms
https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/prepare/fire/smoke-alarms/faq
Examples of where smoke alarms have to be installed in a home
Source:
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Website
What are interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms?
The reason for the new smoke alarm legislation being implemented is that photoelectric smoke alarms are superior to ionization smoke alarms. Smouldering fires can last for hours before turning into a flame fire. Ionization smoke alarms work well with a flame fire that has already been developed. Whereas, photoelectric smoke alarms are more sensitive – they can detect small amounts of smoke therefore giving you, your family and any other occupants, more time to evacuate the home.
Further, having interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms means when one alarm is activated, all alarms will sound – this extra time can make all the difference in avoiding a tragedy.
Photoelectrical smoke alarms detect small amounts of smoke, giving you and any other occupants, more time to evacuate the home.
Can anyone install interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms?
As interconnected smoke alarms are a hardwired system, they must be installed and repaired by a licenced Electrician. Hardwired systems are often referred to as mains connected or 240-volt.
A hardwired interconnection system can have up to 12 smoke alarms connected together. Depending on the model, up to 40 smoke alarms can be grouped together using wireless interconnection systems.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like a quotation for us to supply and install interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms to your property.
Smoke alarm beeping or chirping?
If your smoke alarm is beeping or chirping, this may simply mean that the battery needs to be replaced. However, it could also mean, the smoke alarm may be faulty. Please don't just take out the battery to stop the noise – corrective action needs to be taken!
If you are unable to change the batteries yourself, we are more than happy to carry out small jobs like this. We will also clean the smoke alarms of dust and check they are functioning properly. Please don't hesitate to contact us to arrange a suitable date and time for us to carry out this work.
It is strongly recommended to carry out regular checks and maintenance of smoke alarms installed at your property.
Smoke alarm maintenance schedule
Whether your property is a home or a business, it is strongly recommended that you carry out regular checks and maintenance of the smoke alarms that are installed – click here for suggested schedule.
Monthly check
To test that the alarm sounder is operating, press the test / hush button for at least 3 seconds (if you cannot reach, you can use a broom handle to do this).
Every 3 months
Remove any build-up of dust and cobwebs (you can vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Spray a surface insect repellent onto a cloth and wipe around the smoke alarm to prevent insects nesting inside.
Annually
Replace the 9V batteries (mains powered smoke alarms generally have back-up batteries). Tip – choose a recurring date that’s easy to remember e.g. a birthday, the first day of Winter.
Every 10 years
Smoke alarms more than 10 years past their manufacture date must be replaced – look for the date stamp on the alarm.
Smoke alarm installation & maintenance
Brisbane Northside, Moreton Bay region, Pine Rivers Shire & Samford Valley
PEK Electrical and Data Services carry out smoke alarm installation and maintenance throughout the Brisbane Northside, Moreton Bay region, Pine Rivers Shire and Samford Valley. Our service areas include Brendale, Geebung, Virginia, Armstrong Creek, Campbells Pocket, Dayboro, King Scrub, Kobble Creek, Laceys Creek, Mount Glorious, Mount Mee, Mount Pleasant, Mt Samson, Moorina, Ocean View, Petrie, Rush Creek, Samford, Samsonvale and Wamuran.
If you don't see your suburb in the above list, please don't hesitate to contact us as we still may be able to carry out your smoke alarm maintenance and / or installation.
Whether at your residential, commercial or industrial property, no matter how small the job requirement, we are happy to help.