New smoke alarm laws expect that by 2027, every home shall have installed interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms in hallways, every bedroom, and every level. Photoelectric smoke alarms in Queensland are sensitive to dense smoke, smoldering fires, and other wide range of fires.
An interconnected smoke alarm sends a signal to all alarms whenever there is danger in any of the alarms. For as low as $10, you can get a smoke alarm, depending on your budget; plus, they are easy to use and guarantee the safety of building occupants. Here are some tips for choosing and using smoke alarms in Queensland.
Look at the label
Every smoke sensor should have a certification label guaranteeing that it has undergone a quality test. We encourage you to consider smoke alarms with UL or Interlinks Electrical Testing Lab (ETL) certification labels. A unit must pass all the safety standard tests before being issued with such certification. However, electronic gadgets may lose their efficiency over time, therefore, consider photoelectric smoke alarms labeled lately.
Power source
Hardwired smoke alarms are suitable for any home’s electrical system as they come with a built-in backup battery and can still be useful when there is a blackout. These backup batteries can be sealed or removable. When dealing with removable batteries, you should change them every two years.
On the other hand, sealed batteries have a lifespan of about 10 years; after this duration, you should consider replacing your alarm unit. If a hardwired smoke alarm isn’t optional for you, then consider battery-only devices where the basic option has replicable 9-Volts batteries.
Type of sensor
Not all smoke alarm sensors are similar; some use photoelectric sensors, while others use ionization sensors. Photoelectric sensors detect fire alarms, while ionization sensors detect smoke from fast and flaming fires. Installing the two types of mixtures around your home will guarantee absolute protection. To avoid receiving false alarms, install photoelectric sensors around the kitchen. Alternatively, consider smoke alarms with dual sensors if budget isn’t an issue.
Location
new smoke alarm laws give clear guidelines on the areas to be covered by your smoke sensor. Without complete coverage of your building, your safety can’t be guaranteed, no matter the type of smoke alarm you’ve acquired.
Conclusion
While selecting smoke alarms in Queensland from our shop, keep in mind that these devices are smart, they don’t work forever, they are the first layer of fire protection and they are evolving. Therefore, always look for added features.