Smoke Alarms are one of the most important safety features in your home, but often they are overlooked
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However, oftentimes this is focused on the threat of bushfire, with the flippant notion of “it won’t happen to me” making us pay less attention to the risk of fire inside the home – namely, electrical fires.
Each year, house fires damage hundreds of properties, and in Australia, claim fifty lives on average.
Electrical faults in particular are one of the most common causes of fires within the home – all the more reason that safety inspections and general maintenance and repairs are so important in keeping you safe.
Prevention is better than cure. Of course, it’s just as important that you have measures in place should the worst happen.
Smoke alarm installation plays a vital role in keeping your home and family safe in the event of an emergency.
Current NSW regulations stipulate that with smoke alarm installations there must be a minimum of one smoke alarm on each level of a house.
Depending on the size and layout, more are often recommended.
It’s crucial that your property adheres to these requirements.
Moreover, it’s crucial that your smoke alarms – a critical first line of defence should the worst happen – are working properly.
In addition to carrying out smoke alarm installation, our team can also help you choose an appropriate smoke alarm system.
We work with all sorts of different alarm types, and can help communicate the benefits and features of each so that you can make a more informed decision regarding your fire safety.
Not all smoke alarms are battery-powered – many properties choose hard-wired smoke alarms connected directly to your home’s electrical power supply.
These types of alarms ensure that you won’t need to worry about replacing batteries, and more importantly, require the assistance of an electrician to install.
While it’s possible to inspect your smoke alarms on your own (like by using its own in-built test feature, which you should be doing once a month), we recommend getting a professional to do it.
Our electricians will put your alarm through its paces and identify issues you may not be able to see on your own.
We recommend testing yourself monthly and also ensuring they are tested by an electrician once per year.
Smoke alarms have an average life span of about 10 years. Old alarms need to be replaced if you’re to stay safe in the event of a house fire. Further, many insurance policies may be void if smoke alarms have expired.
In particular, it’s crucial that you upgrade your smoke alarms with newer models as they reach obsolescence. This is not only necessary from a safety point of view, but also because old alarms have an in-built program to start chirping at the 10-year mark, which can drive you crazy!
This doesn’t just mean a smoke alarm that works when you need it to – it also means no annoying beeping, no random alarms, and certainly no disconnected units.
Regular, ongoing maintenance is one essential part in keeping you safe. Another is ensuring that your alarms are up-to-date, and that they get them replaced on a regular basis.
All smoke alarms (including hard-wired ones) have a maximum life of 10 years, as the sensors that detect smoke degrade over time. They may also require battery replacement at different stages. Photoelectric smoke alarms are the gold standard for homes in Sydney and we no longer install ionisation smoke alarms anymore. The type of smoke alarm you get installed really matters.
The reason is that photoelectric alarms are much better at detecting smouldering fire which is commonly how house fires start. This means early detection of the fire will give you the best chance to extinguish it or evacuate.
Make sure you’re doing all that you can to keep your home, your family, and yourself safe – ensure that your smoke detectors are up-to-date and replaced when they start wearing out.
While they’re relatively simple to install and replace, smoke alarms play a major role in keeping you and your family safe.
And as such, it’s one area where you can’t afford to cut corners.
While there are many electricians in Sydney that can offer this service, when it comes to smoke alarm installation, smoke alarm upgrades and replacements, it’s crucial that you choose the right electrician to carry out this job.
Plateau Electrical offers homes throughout the Northern Beaches and North Shore a higher level of electrical services than many other domestic electricians in North Sydney.
Smoke Alarm Installation should only be carried out by a licensed electrician. Proper installation is of the utmost importance to ensure it has been tested properly and meets all standard and regulations.
As per the standards in NSW, you need atleast one per level of your home. However, there are situation where multiple smoke alarms are required to adequately protect your home. In QLD, it is now mandatory to have smoke alarms installed in each bedroom and living area.
A hardwired and interconnected smoke alarm with an integrated 10-year lithium battery backup is the absolute best solution. However, this is not always possible. In this situation, it is possible (and legal) to install a battery smoke alarm as long as it meets the standards and compliance of AS3786.
On top of this, it is vital that you carry out routine maintenance and testing of the smoke alarm to prevent nuisance tripping, false alarms, and degradation of the sensor inside.
Do you need expert electricians in your home today? Contact us today for a free quote.