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  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

  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