WHAT TYPE OF SMOKE ALARM DO YOU HAVE?
There are 2 main types of domestic smoke alarms – IONISATION and PHOTOELECTRIC. What is the difference?
IONISATION – Reacts to fires with lots of flames, this can be a long time after a fire starts.
PHOTOELECTRIC – Reacts to slow, smoulding fires, this is in the early stage of a fire.
All fires begin small and produce lots of smoke, this is when you want your smoke alarm to alert you, not after the fire has been going for some time and filled the house with smoke.
COMPLETE FIRE SAFETY only stock and sell PHOTOELECTRIC Smoke Alarms.
COMPLETE FIRE SAFETY do not sell or recommend IONISATION type smoke alarms.
Here’s why.
Here are 2 tests that show the difference between Ionisation and Photoelectric type smoke alarms.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE A SMOKE ALARM?
If you don’t have a working smoke alarm installed in your home, and a fire occurs:
- You are 57 per cent more likely to suffer property loss and damage,
- You are 26 per cent more likely to suffer serious injuries,
- You are four times more likely to die.
When you’re asleep you lose your sense of smell. A smoke alarm is your electronic nose. It will alert you if there is smoke from a fire. A small fire can grow to involve an entire room in two to three minutes. A smoke alarm provides early warning and time to escape.
Smoke alarms are compulsory in every new home.
Tasmanian law states that smoke alarms (complying with Australian standards AS 3786) must be installed in all homes, units, flats and townhouses. It is the legal responsibility of all owners and landlords to install working smoke alarms.
All fire services in Australia recommend photo-electric smoke alarms when installing or replacing existing smoke alarms. Smoke alarms need to be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers specifications.
All smoke alarms:
- Must contain a battery,
- Need to be tested regularly,
- Need to be replaced after 10 years.
TESTING and MAINTENANCE
Smoke alarms should be tested regularly
- Monthly: Test by pressing the test button,
- Yearly: Vacuum around your smoke alarm vents,
- Yearly: Replace your 9 volt battery each year at the end of daylight saving, unless the battery is sealed.
Remember all smoke alarms have an effective life of 10 years and must be replaced after 10 years. When replacing an existing nine volt battery smoke alarm consider installing a photoelectric smoke alarm with an inbuilt ten year lithium battery. This will eliminate the need to change the battery every year.
PLACEMENT OF SMOKE ALARMS IN BUILDINGS
- Smoke alarms must be located between each bedroom area and the rest of the house, ideally, one should be in each bedroom,
- In addition, inside any bedroom where someone sleeps with the door shut,
- In a two storey home a smoke alarm is required on every storey, located in the path that people will use to evacuate.
Note: Cooking fires are common. High ceilings or the layout of your house may increase the time it takes for your smoke alarm to operate. Consider installing a photo-electric smoke alarm closer to the kitchen area.
Alarms must be installed on, or near, the ceiling in every home.
COMPLETE FIRE SAFETY only stock and sell quality, PHOTOELECTRIC Smoke Alarms.
PHOTOELECTRIC Smoke Alarms.
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Price (inc GST) $63.85 each.
If you would like more that 1 of these, contact us and we will work out the freight. |
If you would like a quote or advice on this equipment or any of our large range of fire fighting and fire safety equipment or a quote on servicing your existing equipment call our Manager – Scott Shaw.
Phone 0457 300 643
Email: scott@completefiresafety.net.au for more information.
