Smoke Alarms Services in
Brisbane and Logan
REPARE Electrical & Air Conditioning is a premium service provider for smoke alarms offering products, installation, repairs, and replacements – a full range of smoke alarm services in Brisbane to both residential and commercial customers.
We pride ourselves on providing a high level of service and have more than 200 reviews on Google to verify this. We are one of the most respected electricians in Logan, Brisbane. Our qualified staff can acquire you new alarms and detectors and are ready to schedule an appointment with anybody needing assistance.
REPARE’s professional approach ensures that our staff treat you and your home with respect – leaving your premises the same way we found it.
WHAT IS A SMOKE ALARM?
Compliance with Australian Standards: Australian smoke alarm systems adhere to the regulations under Australian Standards. This standard specifies the requirements for the installation, location, and maintenance of smoke alarms in residential buildings. It provides guidelines for the type of smoke alarms, their placement, and the interconnectedness of alarms within a property.
Types of Smoke Alarms
Australian smoke alarm systems commonly consist of two types of alarms: photoelectric smoke alarms and ionisation smoke alarms. Photoelectric alarms use light-sensitive sensors to detect smoke particles, while ionisation alarms rely on the ionisation process to detect smoke particles. The Australian Standard recommends the use of interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms as they offer better early detection and reduce the risk of false alarms.
Placement and Maintenance
Australian regulations dictate the specific locations for smoke alarm placement within residential properties. In general, smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, in hallways that connect bedrooms with the rest of the dwelling, and on each level of the home. Regular maintenance, including testing the alarms, replacing batteries, and cleaning, is essential to ensure their reliable operation. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and conduct routine checks at least every six months.
An Australian smoke alarm system provides an essential layer of protection for homes, alerting occupants to the presence of smoke and the potential danger of a fire. By complying with Australian standards, utilising recommended types of alarms, and hiring a professional electrician from REPARE for proper installation and maintenance procedures, homeowners across Brisbane will enhance the safety of their dwellings and significantly reduce the risks associated with fires.
ARE SMOKE ALARMS MANDATORY?
Photoelectric smoke alarms are mandatory as part of the new Queensland fire safety laws. Since January 2017, Queenslanders building a home or considerably renovated have been required to have interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed. Every Rental property in Queensland must meet new rules set down by the Government from the 1st of January 2022.
To comply with the new law’s homeowners can install either hardwired 240V smoke alarms or non-removable 10-year battery smoke alarms. However, any existing hardwired 240V smoke alarm must be replaced with a hardwired 240V photoelectric smoke alarm. The installation of hardwired 240V smoke alarms must be performed by a licensed electrician. In existing homes, it is possible to have a combination of smoke alarms, which can be 240V or battery operated and interconnectivity which can be both wired and wireless.
WHAT’S THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF SMOKE ALARMS?
Smoke alarms are required for the protection of you, your family, and your surroundings.
Home smoke alarms must be installed inside every sleeping room, as well as outside each sleeping area and on every level of the house.
Smoke alarms are designed to be sensitive in order to be effective. Don’t place your smoke alarms too far away from these fire threats, as this could result in bigger consequences.
Since smoke rises rapidly, place your smoke alarm on the ceiling or high on the wall when installing it. When mounting a smoke alarm on a high wall, keep it no closer than 12 inches from the ceiling. Kitchen appliances should be at least 10 feet away from smoke alarms. Also, avoid placing detectors near windows or air ducts, as this may cause it to malfunction.
Licensed and qualified electricians are advisable to do your smoke alarm services and installations though. Prior to entering the ceiling space and before starting any work, electricians should turn off all electricity at the switchboard.
Here are a few facts and tips about smoke alarms:
- Fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms resulted in nearly three out of every five home fire deaths.
- Two out of every five smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries in fires when they were present but did not work.
- 26% of the smoke alarms failed due to dead batteries.
- Home smoke alarms must be interconnected in homes to increase safety. This indicates that if one alarm detects smoke, all other alarms in the house will activate as well.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement and attic. A smoke alarm must also be installed outside each sleeping space and within each bedroom.
- Smoke alarm testing must be done at least once a month as suggested by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
- Replace smoke alarm batteries once a year or whenever the smoke alarm is beeping, to indicate that the battery is low.
- Every ten years, smoke alarms must be updated.
HOW TO TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARM?
Firstly, anyone inside the vicinity must be informed about your smoke alarm testing. Smoke alarms produce a high-pitched beeping noise that may frighten young children, so let everyone know you’re planning to test the alarms, so no one gets frightened.
Press and hold the smoke alarm’s testing button. Although it may take a few seconds to start, the smoke alarm should create a loud, piercing sound while the button is pressed. Replace your batteries if the sound is weak or non-existent. Make sure there’s no dust or other substance covering the grates, as this could stop the smoke alarm from working even if the batteries are totally new.
WHAT IS THE SMOKE ALARMS MAINTENANCE?
Smoke alarm safety only works if the alarms are maintained in good condition. The following will help you maintain your smoke alarms in efficient working order:
- Test your smoke alarms monthly using the test button.
- Check the battery once a month.
- Replace batteries as soon as the low-battery warning alarm goes off, or at least once a year.
- Clean smoke alarms with a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush on a regular basis or as per manufacturer’s instructions.
- Do not hinder the smoke alarm device (it must never be painted).
- If activated from cooking or steam, use the hush button (if fitted) or disperse the smoke (e.g. wave a towel or turn on electric fan near the fire alarm).
- All types of smoke alarms have a limited life-span and should be replaced every ten years to get the best performance out of your device. Look for the manufacture year sticker or stamp.
WHAT CAN CAUSE A SMOKE DETECTOR FALSE ALARM?
Sometimes that eerie home smoke alarm beeping can cause a headache and annoyance when it’s triggered at a false time and beeps for no reason. However, that annoying beeping can save your life.
Before we assume false fire alarms, it’s important to remember to check for a fire first. Even if you are convinced that you are dealing with a false alarm, always check for a fire first.
However, if you are experiencing a false alarm on your smoke detector,
Here are the causes:
- Smoke or steam from cooking or burning food
- Smoke or outdoor campfires wafting inside your space
- Steamy showers
- Humidity is high
- Water leaks
- Malfunction
- Low battery that requires replacement.
- A lot of dust, insects, or other particles.
ARE THERE SMOKE ALARMS FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING?
QFES (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.) provides a subsidy scheme to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing to purchase special smoke alarms. This initiative is managed by Deaf Services Queensland.
So, what are you waiting for? Make sure you have your smoke alarm installed in your home or office for a safe and secure setting!
