Smoke Alarm Installation

A licensed electrician can install or replace smoke detectors to provide the best all round warning for fires in the home.

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Why Are Smoke Alarms Important?

Smoke alarms are devices that alert occupants of potential fires which gives them a chance to either evacuate or try to control the source of the smoke.

These devices are extremely important when the occupants of a home are sleeping, especially in winter when it is cold and heaters are turned on to keep warm or when using electric blankets, and even at Christmas time when festive spirits take hold and decorative lights are installed all over the house.

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Smoke Alarm Keeps Beeping?

If your smoke alarm is beeping quietly every few minutes, this indicates that either the mains power supply to the smoke alarm is off or the back-up battery is dead.

It is recommended to change the battery of your smoke alarms once every year. Most people choose to change them on April 1st (April fool’s day) as it is easy to remember and no one wants to be a “fool” when their family’s lives are at potential risk.

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How Often Should A Smoke Alarm Be Replaced?

Smoke alarms do have expiry dates and are required to be changed every 10 years to ensure the smoke alarm’s functionality and your family’s safety.

Smoke alarms are recommended to be tested via the ‘test button’ every month and replaced by a licensed electrician if the smoke alarm fails to activate. When selling a residential home, smoke alarms MUST be less than 10 years old, hard wired or have a 10-year battery life if unable to hard wire. https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy/smoke-alarm-laws-0

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Complete Smoke Alarm Installation In Perth

The purpose of a smoke detector is to sound an alarm when there is a fire in the house. There are two basic types of smoke alarms: the ionisation model and the photoelectric model.

The method of detecting smoke differs radically. Due to its inability to consistently detect smouldering fires and the use of a small amount of radioactive material in the switch, ionisation smoke detectors are no longer compliant with current legislation. The photoelectric type is the only permissible smoke alarm system in Perth, as it provides the best all-around warning about fires in the home.

Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarm Isolated On A White Background

Why You Need An Electrician For Smoke Alarm Installation In Perth

It is both recommended and required that a licensed electrician installs or replaces the smoke detectors in your home, even though it is quite possible for the DIY enthusiast to handle the job. A quick rundown of the reasons will convince you that it is a better solution to use a qualified electrician:

  • Legislation states that all electrical work, such as connecting smoke detectors to the mains, must be done by a licensed electrician. This ensures correct installation and that safety standards are maintained. As existing smoke detectors are replaced due to reaching the age limit of ten years, they must be replaced with new units that conform to all relevant standards.
  • It is critical that the smoke alarms are correctly placed throughout the home. The legislative requirements are quite comprehensive, so it is always advisable to have a licensed smoke alarm electrician, who understands the specifications and can decide on the best location. Failure may create ineffective detection.
  • Current smoke detectors can be interconnected so that a single alarm that detects smoke in one part of the house will trigger the other sensors to sound the alarm. It is also vital that the alarms maintain the capacity to indicate the location of the fire for safe evacuation.
  • In Western Australia, and in many other countries around the world, regulations mandate the installation of smoke alarms/ smoke detectors in various types of properties, including domestic homes, schools, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as public buildings. Regulations regarding these types of buildings are structured according to the specific environmental requirements, this can include the type of detection required (Ionisation or Photo electric), power supply type (240V or 12/24V or battery), and integrated fire suppression and monitoring systems.
  • For instance; DFES recommends a heat sensor alarm in the garage due to the potential nuisance alarms generated by the exhaust of modern internal combustion engines. While this is not a requirement in every home, it is a very good idea for a smoke alarm placement. Just be aware that heat alarms have to comply with Regulations AS1670.
  • With the introduction of battery solar systems and electric vehicles containing batteries in more homes than ever, there is an increased risk of fire while the occupants are potentially sleeping. An alarm being situated in or close to this area can potentially minimise the damage to the property and the reduce the risk for loss of life in the event of a fire starting from this location.
  • These regulations stem from the importance of fire safety and the crucial role that smoke alarms play in detecting fires early, thereby providing occupants with valuable time to evacuate safely and minimise property damage.

Here are several reasons why smoke alarms are essential:

  • Early Detection Of Fires: Smoke alarms are designed to detect the presence of smoke, which is often the earliest indication of a fire. By promptly alerting occupants to the presence of smoke, smoke alarms provide valuable time for evacuation and intervention before the fire escalates and becomes more difficult to control.
  • Life Safety: The primary purpose of smoke alarms is to protect human life. In the event of a fire, early warning can make the difference between a safe evacuation and potential injury or loss of life. This is especially critical in settings such as schools and commercial properties, where large numbers of people may be present or in domestic homes where occupants are sleeping and need to be alerted of the danger.
  • Property Protection: Smoke alarms not only safeguard lives but also help protect property by enabling early detection and intervention in the event of a fire. Prompt notification allows occupants to take appropriate action, such as calling emergency services or using fire extinguishers, to prevent the spread of fire and minimise damage to buildings and assets.
  • Legal Compliance: Regulations in Western Australia and elsewhere often require property owners to install and maintain smoke alarms in compliance with specific standards and guidelines. Failure to adhere to these regulations may result in legal consequences, including fines or penalties.
  • Reliability: Like any electronic device, smoke alarms have a finite lifespan. Over time, components may degrade, batteries may lose their charge, and sensors may become less sensitive. Expiry dates are typically set to ensure that smoke alarms remain reliable and effective in detecting smoke and fires.
  • Technological Advancements: As technology advances, newer models of smoke alarms may offer improved features, such as enhanced sensitivity or additional functionalities. Expiry dates encourage property owners to periodically upgrade their smoke alarms to take advantage of these advancements and ensure optimal fire safety. As well as the smoke alarms will not function optimally after 10 years of internal parts degradation. This could potentially lead to the alarm not sensing or alerting the occupants in the event of a fire
  • Regular Testing and Maintenance: Maintenance of smoke alarms is crucial to ensure their proper functioning. This includes regular testing to verify that the alarm sounds when smoke is detected, as well as periodic cleaning to remove dust and debris that could interfere with sensors. Additionally, batteries should be replaced as needed, this is recommended on an annual basis or according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Most people chose “April fools day” as it is a memorable date and no one wants to be a fool when it comes to fire safety.
  • Compliance with Regulations: Many jurisdictions, including Western Australia, require property owners to maintain smoke alarms in good working condition, which may include adhering to manufacturer recommendations for testing, maintenance, and replacement. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in legal liability in the event of a fire-related incident.
  • In conclusion, the installation, maintenance, and periodic replacement of smoke alarms are critical aspects of fire safety in Western Australia and elsewhere. By ensuring that smoke alarms are in good working condition and compliant with relevant regulations, property owners can help protect lives and property from the devastating effects of fires. Don’t risk it.

Below are some legislative requirements which can also be viewed on the DFES website https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/fire-in-the-home/smoke-alarms#smoke-alarms-and-the-law

  • Local governments have the power under the Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012 to issue an infringement notice or prosecute an owner who fails to have compliant smoke alarms installed prior to selling, transferring, renting or hiring the dwelling.
  • From 1 July 1997 the installation of mains powered smoke alarms became mandatory for all new residential buildings (or residential building extensions) within Western Australia.
  • Since 1 October 2009 mains powered smoke alarms must also be fitted in all existing residential buildings prior to the transfer of ownership, rent or hire.

Smoke alarms must:

  • Be positioned according to the requirements of the Building Code of Australia
  • Comply with Australian Standards Mark AS 3786 (from 1 May 2017 all newly installed smoke alarms must comply with Australian Standards Mark AS 3786:2014)
  • Be permanently connected to consumer mains power where it is supplied to the building
  • Be interconnected, if your home was newly built after 1 May 2015.

Requirements for single level homes

  • In single level homes, smoke alarms must be installed on or near the ceiling:
  • In all hallways leading to bedrooms, or
  • Where there is no hallway, in an area near the bedrooms.
  • With Regards to AS/NZS 3000:2018 Clauses 4.6 , 7.2.6 , 7.2.1.1 provide electrical requirements

Requirements for multi-level homes

  • In multi-level homes smoke alarms must be installed:
  • On each level containing bedrooms (see instructions for a single level home)
  • On every other level not containing bedrooms, even if they consist only of bathrooms, laundries, carparking, etc. (The favoured location for smoke alarms is in the path of travel people will most likely take to evacuate the building, such as on a wall or ceiling in the stairway.)

Requirements for small guest houses and boarding houses

  • Small guest houses and boarding houses (with less than 12 occupants) are required to have smoke alarms installed on or near the ceiling:
  • In every bedroom
  • In every corridor or hallway associated with a bedroom, or if there is no corridor or hallway, in an area near the bedroom
  • On each level of the building.
  • A system of lighting must also be installed to assist evacuation of occupants in the event of a fire. The lighting must be activated by the smoke alarm and consist of:
  • A light incorporated in the smoke alarm; or
  • The lighting located in the corridor, hallway or area served by the smoke alarm.

Requirements for those selling, renting or hiring your property

  • If you’re planning to sell, rent or hire your property, smoke alarms must be:
  • In working order
  • Less than 10 years from the date of installation.

The Building Regulations 2012 allows the use of battery powered smoke alarms where:

  • Mains power is not connected to the dwelling.
  • Where there is no hidden space to run the necessary wiring for mains powered alarms, and there is no appropriate alternative location – for example, where there is a concrete ceiling.
  • The use of battery-operated alarms for any other circumstance must be approved by local government.
  • Battery operated alarms must have a non-removable 10-year life battery. (9-volt battery operated alarms are not admissible).
  • Important note: Where a multi-level home is permitted to use a battery powered smoke alarm because the ground floor ceiling is concrete, the owner must not (for the sake of convenience) install a battery powered alarm on the upper floor ceiling where there is sufficient space to run the electrical wiring.

Contact us today about how we can assist you with smoke alarm replacement in Perth. 

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