In What Ways Can Our Smoke Alarm Service in Melbourne Benefit You?
- Concerned your smoke alarms may be faulty, expired or require replacement?
- Are nuisance alarms occurring?
- Is your smoke alarm beeping after changing the battery?
Take comfort in speaking with experienced staff who take time to understand your situation, use easy to understand language and provide professional smoke alarm services.
What Is Essential To Know About Smoke Alarms?
Types of Smoke Alarms
There are two types of residential smoke alarms
- Ionisation
- Photoelectric
The difference is in their smoke sense mechanisms. Photoelectric smoke sensors pick up smouldering smokey fires earlier than ionisation smoke alarms. Slow burning fires which occur when people are asleep are a major cause of fatalities in residential house fires, therefore photoelectric smoke alarms are considered the best choice for residential purposes.
Placement of Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms must be:-
- Placed outside each sleeping area (within 1.5m of bedroom doors)
- On each floor of a multi-storey home in the path people use to get out
But Fire Rescue Victoria (FRS) recommends installing smoke alarms in all bedrooms.
Maintenance of Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are active devices with active components. Householders rarely notice them unless they are triggered, but they are not ‘set and forget’ smoke detectors. To ensure they function properly smoke alarms need regular maintenance. Maintenance includes:-
- Testing
- Cleaning, and
- Replacement of Batteries
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Common Challenges Related To Smoke Alarms
Compliance and Regulation
New Victorian State Rental Laws were introduced in March 2021. Landlords, Rental Providers and Property Managers in Melbourne are required to demonstrate their rented properties are maintained to these minimum standards.
- “Residential rental providers are responsible for fitting smoke alarms in rented properties.” Consumer Affairs Victoria, Renting a home : A guide to Tenants p. 20,32
- Victoria’s Residential Tenancies Act, Section 68 (1), states, “A residential rental provider must ensure that rented premises are provided and maintained in good repair.” A landlord must repair or replace a non-functioning smoke alarm once notified by the tenant.
- By law, all residential properties must have working smoke alarms complying with Australian Standards AS 3786.
- Residential homes constructed after 1 August 1997, or homes that have undergone a major renovation or extension, must have smoke alarms connected to 240-volt mains power with battery backup.
- Residential homes constructed before 1 August 1997 may have battery-operated smoke alarms.
- Residential homes constructed after 1 May 2014, or homes that have undergone a major renovation or extension, must have smoke alarms interconnected (if there is a requirement for more than one smoke alarm).
Homeowners and Owner Occupiers often exceed minimum standards to satisfy their family fire safety concerns.
Poor Placement
Poor placement of smoke alarms can reduce their effectiveness or increase the number of false alarms you experience.
e.g. proximity to:-
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Wall Cornice
- Air Conditioning vent
False Alarms
False alarms commonly occur in the kitchen area. Smoke alarm installation in or close to the kitchen is not usually recommended.
Factors which affect this are:-
- Proximity of smoke alarm to kitchen stove
- Use & effectiveness of the stove extraction fan
- Cooking style of the occupant
Battery Issues
All smoke alarms have batteries.
The types of batteries vary. e.g. AA, AAA, 9v alkaline, long life lithium ion.
These batteries may be the sole source of power to the smoke alarm, or backup in hard-wired smoke alarms.
Batteries have a limited lifespan. When battery power is low, smoke alarms will sound a single beep every 30 seconds to a minute.
Low battery power will not cause a smoke alarm to go into full alarm.
Testing and Maintenance
Most Fire Services recommend monthly testing. This involves pressing the test button.
There are components in smoke alarms which can fail. e.g.
- Sounder
- Sensor
- Batteries
- LED displays
- Wiring leads
- Termination points
- Release latches
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of smoke alarm is right for you?
The consumer range of smoke alarms has increased. Many feature combinations now exist.
e.g.
- Sensor hybrids
- Wireless interconnection
- Hard-wired with long life batteries
- Human voice audible sounders
- Night lights etc.
Individual situations vary. Let us help you achieve the most appropriate and cost effective smoke alarm solution for your personal needs.
Do I have to install a smoke detector in every room?
No you do not have to install a smoke alarm in every room of your home. Installation of unnecessary smoke alarms adds cost and can make life difficult.
Challenges isolating faulty units will increase with the number of units installed.
Not all floor plans or family needs are the same and minimum standards do not guarantee optimal safety. Smoke alarm specialists will provide professional advice on smoke alarm placement to suit your individual circumstances and budget.
How often should I test my smoke alarm?
Most Fire Authorities including the Victorian Fire Service (VFS) recommend once a month.
Pressing the test button on your smoke alarm will sound the alarm while you maintain pressure on the button. Once the pressure is released the smoke alarm will cease sounding.
Testing your smoke alarms once a month forces a visual inspection and helps to identify if any component of the units has become defective.
How often should I replace my smoke alarm?
Every 10 years. Smoke alarms may operate and function beyond that age, but manufacturer’s recommendations and Australian Standards require them to be replaced at 10 years of age.
Normal household living gradually deposits dust particles into the sensors of smoke alarms. Over time these can render smoke alarms less effective. They may become over sensitive or under sensitive as a result.
NB …after a fire incident, it is standard procedure for fire investigators to check whether Australian Standards, Manufacturers Recommendations, and Statutory Obligations have been met.
What is the Australian Standard for smoke alarms that apply to properties in Melbourne?
The Australian Standards that apply to Melbourne properties are AS3786, AS1670 and Building Practice Note ESM-03.
Rental Properties and Property Managers need to take special note of the new Victorian Rental Laws titled, “Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021”, which came into effect on 29 March 2021.
Protect your home from fire hazards with our Smoke Alarm Installation Experts