Australian smoke alarms are designed to detect smoke and fires in your home or workplace. It is very important to have them installed professionally to keep you, your family or your staff safe.
Why do we need smoke alarms?
Working smoke alarms are required by law in homes and commercial buildings to reduce the risk of fire. They work by detecting smoke and triggering alarms so you can search for the cause of the problem and either contain and extinguish the fire or rectify the problem. Alarms ensure you can feel safe in your home, by giving you a warning system in case of fire. They have been required in the Australian market for many years and have kept millions of families safe each year.
Which type of smoke detector is best?
There is one type of smoke detector available in Brisbane – Photoelectric alarms.
Click to review the complete Smoke Alarm Legislation.
Photoelectric Alarms have a photo cell and a beam of light which shines away from the photo cell. If smoke comes into the alarm, it interacts with the light which causes the particles to scatter and activate the photo cell, which triggers the alarm. The Photoelectric Alarms are great for detecting house fires because of their reaction to the smoke, however they do need to be cleaned and maintained regularly because bug, dust and mites can set off the alarm if they enter the unit.
Most fire authorities recommend Photoelectric Alarms for homes which is why they are the legal requirement in Brisbane.
Why does my smoke alarm keep going off for no reason?
There are several reasons why smoke alarms go off without cause:
- The battery needs to be replaced
- The unit is placed too close to the kitchen, bathroom or laundry
- The alarm is faulty, old or requires maintenance
- The alarm is dusty, dirty or has mites inside
- The wiring is faulty
Alarms have a life of around ten years, at which time the entire unit should be replaced, so if this is likely to be the cause of the issue then you should call an electrician to have the unit replaced. If the problem is likely to be related to one of the other issues, you could try using exhaust fans more regularly in the kitchen, replacing the battery or inspecting the unit to see if it needs to be cleaned. Poor placement of smoke detectors can cause alarms to go off regularly so it may be worth seeking advice from an electrician about whether they should be relocated.
By law you are required to have working smoke alarm services, so it is important to make sure you have an electrician fit one or more units in your home. If you need a smoke alarm installed or repaired contact CLF Services today for a free quote on 1300 257 561.
