SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES 

 

Smoke Detector Requirements in Rental Property

 

Every year people die as a result of fires in the home. The majority of the fires occur at night when people are asleep. Most fires are prevemtable. Take precautions to protect yourself, your family and your home. 

 

Electricians Plus and ITELEC can design, supply and install the correct type of smoke detector for your home.

 

How to choose between brands and types 

There is no general-purpose smoke alarm for all locations. The correct choice is important to avoid false alarms, as excessive false alarms can lead to the householder disabling the smoke alarm.

 

There are two choices of smoke alarms:

 

240 Volt Smoke Alarms (Also called hard-wired smoke alarms)

A 240 volt smoke alarm is connected to a home’s electrical system and has battery back-up power supply.

 

Advantages

• Considered more reliable in the longer term
• Early warning - occupants alerted in the shortest possible time
• Uses a battery to provide back-up power if the AC power fails
• Models can be interconnected which sound alarms in all connected units
• Can come with a long life Lithium Battery - built-in and tamper proof
• Power-on indicator
• In some models a hush button - to stop nuisance alarms
• Test button - to ensure correct operation
• Tested by Scientific Services Laboratories to comply with AS3786
• Some can be purchased with a rechargeable battery (non-replaceable)

Disadvantages

• More expensive
• Need to be installed by a qualified electrician

9 Volt Smoke Alarms (Also called battery operated smoke alarms)

A 9 volt smoke alarm is stand alone and operated only by a battery.

Advantages

• Easy to install
• Test button - to ensure correct operation
• Low battery indication
• In some models a hush button - to stop nuisance alarms
• Battery missing indicator
• Tested by Scientific Services Laboratories to comply with AS3786
• Some models can be interconnected

Disadvantages

• Battery needs to be replaced regularly

Smoke alarms can be installed either stand alone or interconnected. Interconnection allows all smoke alarms to sound simultaneously should any one alarm activate. All occupants are alerted, maximising the opportunity for escape. Children’s bedrooms should have a smoke alarm, and be connected to the parent’s bedroom because children sleep much sounder than adults. A significant percentage of residences fitted with smoke alarms remain unprotected due to depleted or missing batteries.

Generally, there are two kinds of smoke alarms – ionisation and photoelectric.

 

Ionisation Smoke Alarms 

 

They ‘smell’ the smoke. This type detects invisible particles of combustion e.g. from cooking toast. They activate more quickly for fast, flaming fires and little visible smoke.

 

Advantages

Cheaper than other types

• Very good with fast flaming fires with little visible smoke
• Suitable for general use
• Less prone to false alarms due to dust and steam

Disadvantages

• Very susceptible to nuisance alarms due to cooking
• May be slow to respond to slow smouldering fires
• Contain radioactive material

Photoelectric Smoke Alarms (also known as optical)

 

These ‘see’ the smoke (optical). This type detects visible particles of combustion e.g. smouldering cigarette smoke. They respond to a wide range of fires, but they are particularly responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring.

Advantages

• Good for smouldering fire and dense smoke
• Not as prone to cooking nuisance alarms
• Contain no radioactive material
• Suitable for general use

Disadvantages

• Prone to nuisance alarms from dust and insects - must be kept clean
• More expensive

Your protection against fire increases with the quality and type of smoke alarm that is installed.  Research indicates that photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more effective than ionisation types across a wider range of fires experienced in homes.  For this reason, QFRS recommends that photoelectric smoke alarms be installed, especially if you are installing only one alarm.  If you already have smoke alarms installed, QFRS recommends that you supplement the existing alarms with photoelectric types, especially between sleeping areas and exits from your home (e.g. hallways); and at the end of the service life of existing smoke alarms, replace them with photoelectric types.

It is expected that stocks of photoelectric alarms will become more readily available at retailers as demand increases.

Other Smoke Alarm Options

These include:

• Alarms for deaf and hearing-impaired people
• Alarms with emergency lights
• Special models for kitchens and caravans
• Inter-connectable models that sound alarms in all connected units

Need More Information? Contact Electricians Plus and ITELEC NOW!