www.photoelectricsmokealarms.com.au

  In January and February Queensland's intense summer weather brings not only the potential for fires but also the heightened risk of floods from severe storms and rain events. In this battle against nature’s variable weather extremes, interconnected smoke alarms  can emerge as unsung heroes, providing crucial early warnings that can make all the difference in a house fire..   The Role of Interconnected Smoke Alarms: Photoelectric smoke detectors are indispensable when it comes to preventing and mitigating house fires. Queensland regulations have begun mandating the installation of interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in homes since 2017. By 1 st Jan 2027 this will be become compulsory by law for all QLD homes, including for owner occupiers. Interconnected photoelectric smoke detectors (such as Red smoke alarms model R10RF ) are designed to detect smouldering fires early on, giving residents the vital time needed for evacuation or intervention.   Regular Maintenanc

Among the myriad of options available in Australia's modern smoke alarm market, Red Smoke Alarms have gained prominence for their performance, reliability and 10-year lifetime warranty. Red Smoke Alarms not only meet the essential criteria for Australian Standard 3786:2014, but they go above and beyond to provide homeowners with an increased sense of security and peace of mind. In this article we'll explain what makes Red Smoke Alarms the preferred choice for Queensland homeowners. Red Smoke Alarms have a 10 year warranty and offer excellent after-sales support Red Smoke Alarms are one of the few smoke alarm products in the Australian marketplace that come with a 10 year lifetime warranty. Compare this with other smoke alarm brands such as Emerald Planet (7 year warranty) and Brooks (5 year warranty) and you can clearly see why Red Smoke Alarms are such a popular interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm. Not only that, Red Smoke Alarms have an excellent network of service agen

  Queensland - beautiful one day, perfect the next -  from Coolangatta to Cairns it is a state known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant communities, but it's not immune to the threat of residential house fires. In this context, the importance of reliable smoke alarms cannot be overstated. Among the various types of smoke alarms available on the market, photoelectric smoke alarms have proven to be highly effective, offering numerous benefits for Queensland residents. 1. Early Detection: Photoelectric smoke alarms are renowned for their ability to detect slow smoldering fires, often caused by faulty wiring, overheated appliances, or unattended candles. These alarms respond quickly to visible smoke particles, allowing for early detection and alerting occupants to potential dangers. Old ionisation smoke alarms are being rapidly phased out in Queensland and are not the preferred type of the QLD Fire and Emergency Services. 2. Reduced False Alarms: Queensland's diverse climat

  We recently helped a customer resolve an issue with her old smoke alarms. What we weren't expecting was this amazing poem she sent to us as a token of gratitude. Thank you Jenny, what an incredible talent - we love it! An ode to the Photoelectric Smoke Alarm In the land of Australia, where dangers roam, Photoelectric smoke alarms find their home, With advanced technology, they stand tall, Guarding our lives, protecting us all. In their sensors lies a vigilant eye, Detecting smoke particles floating by, Sensitive to smoldering fires they detect, Acting swiftly, their purpose to protect. In the rugged Outback and urban domains, Photoelectric detectors shield us from flames, Their beams of light, a watchful embrace, Ready to react, ensuring our safe space. In the face of smoky whispers and haze, These alarms pierce through, cutting through the maze, Their accuracy shines like the Southern Cross, Alerting us swiftly, no time for loss. Australia's skies may challenge and deceive,

  A new Australian Standard for smoke alarms, Australian Standard 3786:2023, was published by the Standards Australia Committee on February 17, 2023. This standard supersedes the previous Australian Standard 3786:2014. It is not uncommon for Australian Standards to undergo updates and amendments over time. Australian Standard 3786, first released in 1990, has undergone at least 10 updates and reissues since its inception. Several reasons led to the publication of the new Australian Standard 3786:2023: 1. Technological advancements: The standard needed to incorporate emerging smoke alarm technologies and evolving existing technologies. This ensures the standard remained relevant and reflects current technology available in the market. For example, the new standard now includes provisions for interconnected smoke alarms. 2. Safety considerations: Safety is a crucial aspect of the standard. As new fire risks are identified and existing ones are better understood, the standard has been upd

  A photoelectric smoke alarm is an essential safety feature in any home or building. The smoke alarm provides an early warning of a fire, allowing occupants to evacuate before the fire spreads. To ensure the ongoing reliability of photoelectric smoke alarms, manufacturers must adhere to strict quality management standards, such as ISO 9001. ISO 9001 is a globally recognised quality management system developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). The standard outlines the requirements for an organization to meet customer needs and expectations, comply with regulatory requirements, and continuously improve its processes. Implementing ISO 9001 in photoelectric smoke alarm manufacturing ensures that every aspect of the factory's manufacturing process meets the required standards for both quality and reliability.  Do you know if your   photoelectric smoke alarm   has come from an ISO 9001 accredited facility? The commercial production of a photoelectric smoke al

  Photoelectric smoke alarms are a vital safety feature in any home or building. They work by detecting smoke particles in the air and sounding an alarm to alert occupants of a potential fire. However, like any other lifesaving electronic device, photoelectric smoke alarms require batteries to operate effectively. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of your smoke alarm battery and offer tips on how to maintain it.   Why is your smoke alarm battery important? The batteries in a photoelectric smoke alarm are essential because they provide the power necessary to detect smoke particles in the air. Quite obviously, without functioning batteries the photoelectric smoke alarm would cease to operate – it would not be able to detect smoke and would not sound the alarm, leaving occupants at risk in the event of a fire. When a smoke alarm battery becomes low on power it may make the smoke alarm more susceptible to false / nuisance alarms. Even in situations where you have a 2

Fire is a devastating force that can destroy homes and take lives in the blink of an eye. Every year in Australia, there are dozens of house fires, resulting in many fatalities and injuries. Smoke alarms are one of the most effective tools in preventing fire-related deaths and injuries. Queensland has recently implemented new interconnected smoke alarm legislation to ensure every home is equipped with the best technology to detect and respond to fires. In this article, we will explore what interconnected smoke alarms are and why they are so important. What are Interconnected Smoke Alarms? Interconnected smoke alarms are smoke alarms that are linked together in a network. When one alarm is triggered, all other alarms in the network also sound an alarm, giving residents an early warning and valuable time to evacuate the home. This is particularly important when a fire starts in an area of the house that is not close to the occupants, such as in a garage or on another floor of the dwelli

How to install our smoke alarms onto your ceiling! Ever wondered how to physically attach our photoelectric smoke alarms to your ceiling? This short video will show you how!  Prior to undertaking any home maintenance tasks ensure you have basic personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses when using a drill. If using a ladder to reach the ceiling it is always a good idea to have someone supporting the ladder whilst you are standing on it. Checklist of what's needed: - Pencil - Hammer - Screws and anchor plugs (included with our smoke alarms) - Drill with 5mm bit - Smoke alarm and its mounting bracket STEP 1: Gently twist the mounting bracket to remove it from the rear of the smoke detector. STEP 2: Locate the mounting bracket in your chosen position on the ceiling. Use a pencil to mark the location of the two mounting bracket slots on the ceiling. Note that there are specific prescriptive requirements for Queensland smoke alarms , dictating where they should and sho

  There is no point waiting until a fire occurs before figuring out what to do and where to go - especially when family members are involved. Having a well developed and rehearsed fire safety plan will provide the occupants crucial time to escape and could mean the difference between life and death. This article will show you how to develop a home fire safety plan and demonstrate that it needn’t be an onerous exercise.   Develop a floor plan and identify the emergency exit paths Draw a basic floor plan of your house, including key locations such as each person’s bedroom. Review the floor plan collectively with all occupants of the dwelling – identify both the primary and secondary path of exit so there are two means of escape for each person in the event of a fire. Are there obstacles to negotiate such as large furniture? Are there ‘landmarks’ along the way which could assist if smoke has reduced visibility to zero? Are there people in the home of various ages, differing physical

In the second instalment of this multi-part series, we continue our deep dive into Australian Standard 3786:2014 to understand what it means for smoke alarm conformity. All smoke alarms sold within Australia must comply to the standard. Section 4.22.1 of the Australian Standard describes the markings and types of information included on the smoke alarm itself. If the smoke alarm does not have all this information on it – then technically it is non-compliant to the standard. Have a look at your photoelectric smoke alarm to double check if it has the following information. 4.22 Marking 4.22.1 Smoke alarm Each smoke alarm shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the following: (a) The number and date of this Standard (i.e. AS 3786:2014). (b) The name or trademark and address of the manufacturer or supplier. (c) The model designation (type or number). (d) The type of smoke alarm (type A or type B), e.g. photoelectric or ionization. (e) The alarm condition aural signa

  In the first of this multi-part series we will review Australian Standard 3786:2014 and take a look at what it means for smoke alarm conformity in Australia. The full name of the standard which encompasses smoke alarm conformity in Australia is ‘Australian Standard 3786:2014 Smoke alarms using scattered light, transmitted light or ionization’. Standards are documents that set out specifications, procedures and guidelines that aim to ensure products are safe, consistent, and reliable. When a standard such as AS 3786:2014 is referenced by state or national legislation, then it becomes mandatory in the eyes of the law. The Australian Standard document is broken down into several key components – the two of interest that we will be reviewing throughout this multi-part series are the ‘tests’ and ‘general requirements’ for smoke alarms. Section 4.17 of the Australian Standard states that; ‘ The smoke alarm shall be so designed that a sphere of diameter larger than 1.3 ±0.05 mm cannot pass

  Myth 1: The internet is required to make them interconnect – false! Many modern interconnected smoke alarms do not require the internet or home wifi to allow them to connect and ‘talk’ with one another. The connection or pairing process is achieved using wireless radio frequency transmissions and a RF transmitter which sits inside each alarm.   No internet? No worries. It’s not required. Myth 2: They are unsuitable for large multi-story dwellings – false! The exact range of an interconnected smoke alarm network varies between manufacturers, but on average you will find that interconnected smoke alarms can be separated by a distance of 25-30m between each alarm, and still function within a large 100m free field range without being compromised. Interconnected smoke alarms can be installed upstairs / downstairs / between walls and floors. Hot tip – before physically attaching the interconnected smoke alarms to the ceiling, place each one at its intended location and press the ‘te

  Nothing is more annoying or stress inducing than when a smoke alarm goes off unexpectedly. But why does this happen when there is no smoke? There could be several reasons. The good news is that you don’t have to go on living this way. Wireless interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms  will provide reliable protection for you and your family when installed correctly.   Photoelectric smoke alarms are activated when the light beam inside the smoke alarm is disrupted by particles entering the smoke alarm chamber. These foreign particles may come from sources other than real smoke.   High humidity High humidity may occur naturally as the air carries dense moisture particles that your smoke alarm confuses for smoke particles. Although brands differ, smoke alarms are generally designed to work up to 95% relative humidity – anything over this range and the air could become dense enough to scatter the light beam of a photelectric sensor. Tropical weather conditions in far north Que

These new laws have been implemented in Queensland due to several fires which have tragically resulted in multiple fatalities in each instance. Coronial inquest findings noted that had each property been fitted with functioning smoke alarms the occupants may have stood a better chance of survival. Early smoke / fire detection improves escape time from a burning building. During a fire emergency, it was not only the heat and flames themselves which presented a life-threatening hazard, many victims were first overcome by an accumulation of smoke and toxic fumes. Slacks Creek House Fire – Brisbane Just before midnight on 23rd August 2011, an accidental fire ripped through a house in Slacks Creek, South Brisbane. The fire was to cause the greatest loss of life in a domestic house fire in Australian history, with a total of 11 people (including many children) perishing due to smoke inhalation. A finding from the 2014 Coronial Inquest stated that ; ‘Once this particular fire started, it is l