Smoke Alarm Installation Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006
A smoke alarm could save you or your loved ones life one day. Over the last few years Queensland has been implementing changes designed to make smoke alarms even more effective.
If you’re a landlord or are planning on selling your home soon, you’ll want to know about the new regulations starting January 2022.
River City Electrical can install, test and upgrade smoke alarms that are compliant with the up and coming changes in Fortitude Valley and surrounding suburbs. Rather than leave things to the last minute, why not become informed and get a quote today?
Below is quick video explaining more.
What do smoke alarm legislation changes mean for me?
Well, from January 2022 any new leases, lease renewals, or home sales must have smoke alarms that are:
1. Photoelectric smoke alarms (not ones with a radiation symbol) – they should have “AS 3786-2014” written on the back.
2. Interconnected, which means when one alarm goes off, they all go off. This gives a much better chance of evacuating the house.
Where should smoke alarms be placed?
Where practicable smoke alarms must be placed on the ceiling.
There are also some areas where they should not be placed, including:
- 300mm of a corner of a ceiling and a wall
- 300mm of a light fitting
- 400mm of an air-conditioning vent
- 400mm of the blades of a ceiling fan.
There are special requirements for stairways, sloping ceilings, and ceilings with exposed beams (specific requirements are explained in the Building Fire Safety Regulation 2008).
Every residence is different that’s why we’ll assess your home to find the best option for you.
To maximise the smoke alarms effectiveness, it’s important to avoid installation in places such as:
1. Dead air space which is an area in which trapped hot air will prevent smoke from reaching the alarm. This space generally occurs at the apex of sloping ceilings, the corner junction of walls and ceilings, and between exposed floor joists.
2. Near windows, doors, fans or air conditioners. Excessive air movement may prevent smoke and gases from reaching the smoke alarm or cause nuisance alarms.
3. In or outside the bathroom as the steam and condensation is likely to cause false alarms.
4. Insect infested areas, because small flying insects can get caught in the smoke alarm and cause false nuisance alarms.
Common Questions
Q: Why do smoke alarms need to be interconnected?
A: When one interconnected smoke alarm is activated, all interconnected smoke alarms are activated. Especially in large houses, it can be hard to hear a distant alarm. The early warning increases the time everyone has to escape. Smoke alarms can be connected wirelessly or be wired together.
Q: Do smoke alarms need to be hardwired or can I use batteries?
A: From January 2022, all Queensland new rentals, lease extensions, or home sales must have smoke alarms hardwired with a battery backup. 9 volt battery models are no longer suitable.
Q: What’s a photoelectric smoke alarm?
A: Photoelectric smoke alarms are considered more reliable than the older “ionization” models. If your smoke detector has a raditaion symbol, it’s the old variety. Photoelectric smoke alarms work by detecting particles of smoke in the air – though they can also be triggered by large quantities of steam or extreme dust, which is why appropriate placement is crucial.
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